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Arsenal must take on Barcelona and Juventus to complete deal for French ace
ARSENAL will face stiff competition from Barcelona and Juventus for Red Bull Salzburg defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports in Spain.
Dayot Upamecano has been tracked by Arsenal
Upamecano is enjoying a breakthrough season with Salzburg and has made 15 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga so far this term.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim this has attracted a number of clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus.
The Gunners are said to have been tracking the centre-half prior to his move to Salzburg in 2015, but he turned them down to join the Austrian outfit.
Dayot Upamecano is a France U19 international
Reports suggest Barca and Juve are are trying to forge ahead with their own deals for the 18-year-old defender.
And Mundo Deportivo claim the Catalan side have the upper hand in negotiations due to Salzburg manager Oscar Garcia's ties with the club.
The 43-year-old made 69 La Liga appearances for Barca in the 1990s before managing their youth team between 2010 and 2012.
And Garcia is said to have piqued Barca's interest in Upamecano after he praised his abilities as a technical, ball-playing centre-back.
"He has qualities to become an excellent center-half, from very young he has been a leader in the selections of France," Garcia said.
Upamecano has also been likened to fellow Frenchman Samuel Umtiti who Barca signed from Lyon in the summer following his impressive performances at Euro 2016.
Dayot Upamecano is a physical and technical centre-half
Barca are said to be plotting a scouting mission to run the rule over the teenager before progressing with any deal.
Upamecano is primarily a centre-back but has been deployed as a defensive midfielder this term, making 21 appearances in all competitions for Salzburg.
He is under contract with the Austrian side until June 2018.