Arsenal interested in Dayot Upamecano's defensive partner

Arsenal are reportedly one of the Premier League clubs monitoring the progress of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.

The 21-year-old missed vast parts of the previous season through injury, but he has been an important figure under Julian Nagelsmann this term.

According to Bild, the Gunners are among the Premier League sides tracking Konate and they could make a mid-season move for him.

However, Leipzig are likely to snub the advances unless the £45m release clause on his contract is paid in full.

Upamecano and Konate have formed a solid partnership in the central defence, but the former has been fancied to leave next summer.

He has a £35m release clause which becomes active at the end of the season and there is said to be plenty of transfer interest.

Arsenal purchased Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille earlier this summer and he has been a solid presence in their central defence.

William Saliba, however, has yet to make his debut with Mikel Arteta unconvinced by his displays on the training pitch.