Arsenal report: Gunners to land wonderkid defender for FREE to partner William Saliba

Arsenal are eyeing up a spectacular free transfer to complete their defence. 

Despite sitting top of the Premier League table, the Gunners have looked nervous at the back on a number of occasions this season, with Gabriel coming under fire. The Brazilian has been consistent for much of his career in England but lacks a back-up to challenge his spot and is playing both domestic and European football for Mikel Arteta's side right now.

21-year-old William Saliba has shone alongside Gabriel – and with Arteta favouring a left-footer on that side of the pitch, the opportunity has presented itself for the Basque boss to sort the future of the defence and partner his burgeoning star with his ideal foil. 

Italian outlet Il Romanista has noted that the north Londoners are in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Evan Ndicka, who has mightily impressed in both the Bundesliga and in Europe in recent times and been labelled as a wonderkid to watch despite only turning 23 only the summer. 

The Parisian defender is out of contract at the end of the season, having won the Europa League with his club last term and is attracting the likes of Jose Mourinho's Roma, as well as Arsenal. 

Arteta was reportedly interested in bringing in another left-sided centre-back over the summer, too. A move for then-Ajax star Lisandro Martinez was thought to be providing cover not just for left-back but the centre of defence – before Manchester United swooped in for the Argentine and the Gunners signed Oleksandr Zinchenko instead. 

Arsenal's only other naturally left-footed centre-back, Pablo Mari, is on loan in Italy with Monza. 

Eintracht Frankfurt star Ndicka would be the perfect partner for Saliba in many ways. Both French, the Bundesliga defender offers physicality, aggression and a good reading of the game, while Arsenal's young centre-back is composed, good on the ball and a good decision maker. 

Ndicka is valued at £28.8m by Transfermarkt – but Arsenal are free to negotiate a contract with the Frenchman from January.

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli; the Gunners are said to have already made contact with the Italy international's camp.

Meanwhile, one man who could be heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door is Gabriel Martinelli: there's been talk of Chelsea making a shock swoop for the winger.

In other news, Aaron Ramsdale says that the Gunners have been motivated to succeed this season by the disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification last term. The goalkeeper was speaking after Saturday's 3-1 North London derby win over Tottenham – a result which kept Mikel Arteta's side top of the Premier League.