Emmanuel Mbemba is favouring a free transfer move to Arsenal, despite having been offered a new contract by Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report.
Nizaar Kinsella reports for the BBC that Arsenal have made an approach to sign 18-year-old defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, adding that the player favours Arsenal over the alternatives.
One of those alternatives is remaining with PSG, as they’ve offered him a new contract. But the player is exploring his options, and he could be signed for a little over £150,000 in training compensation money when his contract expires at the end of this month.
Arsenal have made a pitch, telling Mbemba he would initially go out on a European loan until January 2027, allowing the Gunners time to secure him a work permit.
Kinsella adds that Arsenal view Mbemba as a long-term option at left-back, despite the fact he’s also played centre-back with PSG.
Benjamin Quarez had broken the news for Le Parisien earlier this week that Arsenal are active on the case of the Paris Saint-Germain youngster, who is also drawing interest from PSG’s local rivals Paris FC.
Paris FC haven’t given up yet, but it seems Arsenal are the favourites at the moment.
Mbemba has been playing in defence for the PSG youth teams this season, representing the u19s in domestic football and the UEFA Youth League.
The teenager’s defensive versatility is surely a draw. Mikel Arteta has shown a clear preference for defenders who can fill multiple roles in the squad, and Mbemba is seemingly another.
From the sounds of things, Mbemba wouldn’t be playing for Arteta’s first-team anytime soon, but the Gunners are making a push to bring him in for the future.
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