Arsenal have been warned that they face intense competition in the transfer market for the services of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, with Barcelona also eyeing a move.
The Gunners want to bring in the Upamecano to partner his compatriot William Saliba in the heart of defence, with the teenager set to return from his season long loan stint with St. Etienne.
However, a lack of Champions League football is one hurdle that Arteta's side are already likely to have to overcome and Barcelona's competition in the market could throw another spanner in the works.
The Catalan giants are set for a rebuild after another turbulent season, with Quique Setien taking the reigns from Ernesto Valverde, and a defender is on his transfer shortlist, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has stated.
"Upamecano, top player, there was talk about him two years ago and he will be wanted by many, many teams," Balague said on his YouTube channel.
"Barcelona want a centre-back, a midfielder, a winger perhaps and a striker.
"They're going for that, depending on what happens with [Martin] Braithwaite of course.
"I don't think Lautaro Martinez and Neymar can come at the same time, they just don't have the finances, it's as simple as that, even though they will try and get rid of eight or nine players in the summer yet again.
"So it won't be easy to get both, perhaps even impossible."
