Arsenal are reportedly pursuing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba, a move described as a “dirty trick” by French media outlet FootMercato. The Gunners are seeking to strengthen their squad following their recent Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid, and have identified the 18-year-old as a potential target.
Mbemba, a left-sided centre-back who can also play as a full-back, has impressed for PSG’s youth teams, captaining the U19 side to victory in the Coupe Gambardella – the French equivalent of the FA Youth Cup. He was also part of the PSG squad that lost the UEFA Youth League final to Real Madrid on penalties. Despite being offered a professional contract by PSG, Mbemba is believed to be considering a move away from the club this summer.
Arsenal have been tracking Mbemba throughout the season, according to Le Parisien, but face competition from several other European giants. Bayern Munich were linked with a move for the player in March, as reported by L’Equipe, while Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona have also expressed interest. A move to Paris FC, a club geographically close to PSG, is also a possibility.
However, a significant hurdle remains in completing a deal for Mbemba: he currently does not meet the points requirements for a UK work permit. Should Arsenal sign him, they would likely need to loan him to a European club to allow him to gain the necessary points. FootMercato suggests Arsenal have already begun exploring loan options in France, with Paris FC potentially playing a role in the arrangement. Comparisons to William Saliba, another left-sided centre-back who has excelled at Arsenal, are inevitable, though Saliba arrived with more first-team experience at Saint-Etienne. If Mbemba develops successfully, he could prove to be a valuable addition to Arteta’s squad.
