Arsenal have been dealt a boost in their pursuit of RB Leipzig centre-back with the club reportedly ready to accept a cut-price fee for the defender this summer.
The Gunners reportedly failed in a £55million bid for the French youngster in the summer, instead turning to veteran David Luiz as a stop-gap solution to replace outgoing club captain Laurent Koscielny.
Football Leaks recently revealed a clause in Upamecano's contract reducing his €100m release clause by €20m every year, meaning interested clubs would have had to spend €60m (£52m) to land him next summer.
But Kicker now claim the German club are worried about losing the 20-year-old on a free when his contract expires in 2021 and could now accept a lower offer.
They are said to be resigned to losing the imposing youngster having previously been keen to tie him down to a long-term deal, leaving Arsenal ready to pounce with a fresh move.
Upamecano revealed his ambitions to join a European giant in the future in an interview last year - although he did not mention Arsenal in his list of "dream" clubs.
"As a youngster, you dream of Real Madrid , Barcelona , Manchester United , but to get there, you have to work," he told Telefoot.
"I’m very proud of myself, very happy. I have to keep going in the same direction.
"I have to aim higher. My preference for the moment is Leipzig. Afterwards, we’ll see."
Arsenal have already signed one young French centre-back, with William Saliba putting pen to paper from Saint Etienne in the summer.
He has been back on loan with the French club but recently returned to the Gunners training ground during recovery from an injury, reportedly impressing club bosses with his physicality.
