Arsenal can land Dayot Upamecano for a cut-price fee next summer.
The Gunners made an approach for the RB Leipzig defender over the summer as Unai Emery looked to bolster his back line.
However, the bid of around £50million for Upamecano was rejected, with the Bundesliga side reportedly holding out for a figure close to his full release clause of £82million.
Arsenal instead landed David Luiz from Chelsea on Transfer Deadline Day but will likely look to add further depth to their defence in the near future.
And a fresh development means that Upamecano could again be targeted by Gunners chiefs.
According to L'Equipe, Upamecano's release clause will be slashed to £53million if he does not sign a new deal before the end of this season.
Upamecano, who has only made two appearances this season due to a knee injury, has established himself as one of the key defenders in the German league over the past two years.
The 20-year-old joined from RB Leipzig's sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2017 for just £9million.
Signing Upamecano could help to completely reinvigorate Arsenal's defence heading into the 2020/21 season.
They also will have youngster William Saliba available for them, after he has returned from his season-long loan at St-Etienne.
