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Arsenal close to confirming their first signing of the summer transfer window
Arsenal are close to announcing their first signing for the 2020/21 Premier League campaign despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Layvin Kurzawa scores unreal goal for PSG in 2017
Arsenal are on the brink of completing their first signing of the summer transfer window, it has been claimed. Despite the coronavirus pandemic impacting the financial health of football clubs, the Gunners are reportedly set to announce a five-year deal has been agreed with Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa.
Kurzawa is out of contract at PSG at the end of the season and will look to leave in the summer on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour under Thomas Tuchel with Juan Bernat being the preferred option at left-back.
A host of clubs have been linked with what could prove to be a bargain considering his track record.
The likes of Chelsea and Barcelona have been credited with an interest but a move to Arsenal appears to be on the cards, despite the club admitting the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic presents “one of the most challenging periods in our near 134-year history”.
According to todofichajes, Arsenal have won the race for Kurzawa’s signature after closing a five-year agreement.
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It is claimed the deal will be announced when the 2019/20 season comes to an end and that he will be their first signing for the next campaign.
Arsenal were interested in Kurzawa in January but failed to seal a deal so snapped up Cedric Soares from Southampton on a loan deal.
Arteta has plenty of options in the 13-cap France international’s position.
Sead Kolasinac has been a regular fixture at left-back following his free transfer from Schalke in 2017.
Kieran Tierney arrived from Celtic for £25million last summer but has endured an injury-plagued campaign. He has been limited to 11 appearances in all competitions due to hip and shoulder problems.
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The emergence of Bukayo Saka has been one of the biggest talking points at the Emirates Stadium this season.
Saka, 18, has made 29 appearances in all competitions, with the majority coming at left-back, but he is likely to play further up the pitch in the future.
It would be jarring to see Arsenal announce a new signing while pressuring their first-team squad to accept a reduction in wages to deal with the financial threat posed by the coronavirus crisis.
Mikel Arteta’s players have rejected a 12.5 per cent pay cut but are under pressure to come to an agreement after club chiefs accepted huge drops in their pay for the next 12 months.
Arsenal also face the prospect of Kurzawa’s contract being extended by FIFA on a short-term basis to finish the Ligue 1 campaign while it is unknown exactly when the next transfer window will open.