Arsenal are set to bid £15 million for Manchester United target, Aleksander Dragović, who plays for Dynamo Kiev. The tough-tackling centre back is the captain of the Austrian national team and has been earning rave reviews in the past few seasons.
The 24-year-old burst onto the scene after impressing in Switzerland whilst playing for FC Basel, and the English duo are keeping tabs on his progress. The Gunners are keen to bolster their defensive options in the summer as they are still in search for the ideal partner for French centre back, Laurent Koscielny.
They signed Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal in January for a fee in the region of £11 million, but the Brazilian has failed to settle in so far during his short spell in England. Arsène Wenger is reportedly looking to send scouts to watch Dragović in Kiev as he is hopeful of making a bid in the coming months, in order to build up for next season.
Back in 2013 he stated a deal to Old Trafford would suit him, and he is an admirer, which could come as a blow for the Gunners. During an interview with Italian newspaper, Tutto Mercato Web, he said:
“My goal is to play in England. I want to retrace the steps and the career of my model, Nemanja Vidić, of Manchester United.”
The Austrian international has been capped 35 times since he made his debut in 2009 and has also played for Austria Vienna where he began his career.
Louis Van Gaal's men certainly could do with a player of his stature as they are short of quality in defence. He does possess similar traits to Vidić, with his no-nonsense defending and his bravery, something which United have lacked during the past two seasons, in particular.
The battle is on between Arsenal and Manchester United with a reasonable price tag certain to tempt them both to make bids in the summer.
A move to the Premier League looks imminent for him as we await the location in the coming months. Other clubs in Europe are also interested in his services, but these two clubs lead the race for his signature.
