Arsenal Chasing Athletic Bilbao Starlet, NOT ‘Expensive’ Mats Hummels

Arsenal prefer Aymeric Laporte to Mats Hummels as they seek a new centre back…

The latest twist in the Arsenal chase for a new centre back comes in the shape of Athletic Bilbao starlet Aymeric Laporte, who the Gunners would reportedly prefer to sign over long-term target Mats Hummels.

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Last weekend, Hummels seemingly revealed that he would prefer a move to the Gunners over rival admirers Manchester United, but it seems that the North London side are prepared to drop their interest in favour of a move for another United target.

Reports in the Metro claim that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger deemed a potential transfer for the World Cup winner as too expensive, and will instead turn his attentions to the 20-year-old Frenchman.

The Gunners manager is said to be ‘seriously’ thinking about tabling a bid for Laporte in January after being criticised for not replacing Thomas Vermaelen following his move to Barcelona this summer.

Laporte is believed to have attracted the interest of several clubs after impressing for Athletic this season, with the Spanish side ready to sell their prize asset this winter should a good enough offer arrive.

It is claimed that Wenger is set to ‘accelerate’ his interest in Laporte after deciding that the £31.3m fee it would take to land Borussia Dortmund star Hummels is too much to spend.

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