Unai Emery Asks For £40m To Sign Ivory Coast Defender

Unai Emery does not want to delay the signing of a centre-back any further and has demanded for a £40m bid to be placed for Mainz player, Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The Spaniard is thought to have that exact amount to play with next summer but he is eager to spend it immediately on the 23-year-old rising Bundesliga talent.

Gbamin has 21 appearances this season and contributed 2 goals on the offensive end. He is on the shortlist of plenty of Premier League sides and has even spoken out on his desire to move out of Mainz after this season.

He recently told the press, “I basically feel ready for the next step and can well imagine starting a new chapter. Through my achievements, I have made clubs aware of me, where I see a good chance to go to this next stage in my sporting and personal development.”

“At the moment I give 100 per cent for Mainz and I am very satisfied with how much we have improved. ‘What will happen after the season, we have to wait and see.”

Emery is at a disadvantage due to Arsenal’s limited financial capabilities at the moment. Therefore, the former Sevilla boss wants to get ahead of the curve before rival outfits start pouring with offers of their own.

Gbamin represented France at various youth levels but chose to play for Ivory Coast at senior level, being capped 4 times already. His contract with Mainz is set to last till the summer of 2023.

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