ARSENAL have been dealt a major blow in their quest to sign Dayot Upamecano with Real Madrid keen to bring the defender to Spain.
The RB Leipzig centre-back put an end to speculation regarding his future last month when he agreed a contract extension until 2023.
His previous deal was due to expire next year, leading Arsenal to become hopeful they could snap him up this summer.
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It was believed that the Gunners were in pole position to sign the 21-year-old – who boasts a £40million release clause in his contract in 2021.
But they now face competition from Los Blancos to secure his services, with Zinedine Zidane identifying him as the long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos.
According to AS, Real were left impressed by Upamecano’s Man of the Match display in the Champions League quarter-final win against Atletico Madrid.
They state that the LaLiga champions do not have the funds to sign the French youth international this summer.
But they are already making plans to bring him to the Bernabeu next year by activating his buyout clause.
It has been alleged that Upamecano is Real’s No1 defensive target, with Zidane a huge fan of his compatriot’s talents.
Zidane is said to have been keeping tabs on Upamecano’s progress since 2015 when he was part of the French side that won the U-17 European Championship along with his son Luca.
Upamecano has already made over 150 senior club appearances since making his debut for Austrian side Liefering during the 2015/16 season.
