Arsenal looking at RB Leipzig defender to provide competition for Ben White

Arsenal are very interested in RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan and have been scouting the versatile Frenchman, according to reports.

The north Londoners are known to be in the market for both a right-back and centre-back this summer, with Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen his defensive options after suffering with a lack of options in the run-in.

Injury to William Saliba saw Rob Holding come into the back-line but Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet in seven straight Premier League matches, ceding ground to Manchester City in the process.

Jakub Kiwior has performed better – starting in wins over Chelsea and Newcastle – but, as a heavily left-footed player, he isn’t ideally suited to the right centre-back role.

Arteta is also believed to want a more attack-minded, orthodox right-back to act as cover and competition for Ben White, with this position also exposed by Takehiro Tomiyasu’s season-ending injury.

Simakan could be a player who ticks both boxes, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners are keeping a very close eye on the versatile defender.

The 23-year-old is capable of playing at both right-back and centre-back and has been scouted multiple times by the Gunners this season.

Although no offer is imminent, Arsenal have strong interest in the Frenchman and are continuing to monitor him closely.

Simakan has enjoyed a solid season though has been used somewhat sporadically by manager Marco Rose, in part due to a series of injury niggles.

Around half of his appearances have come at right-back, and sometimes even right wing-back, while he has started seven times at centre-back.

He has one goal and one assist in the Bundesliga from 15 starts but put up very strong numbers in his seven Champions League appearances, scoring once and laying on three assists.

Arsenal are believed to be trailing a number of right-backs ahead of the transfer window opening, with Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda a long-time target they tried to sign in January while Southampton’s Tino Livramento is another option.

In addition to bolstering his back-line, Arteta also wants to sign a new midfielder – with West Ham skipper Declan Rice his top target – as well as adding another attacker to his arsenal of forwards.

MORE : Thomas Tuchel praises Arsenal amid Bayern Munich struggles

MORE : Mikel Arteta responds to speculation Granit Xhaka wants to leave Arsenal this summer

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.