Rumour: Arsenal in pole position to sign Manchester United target

Even before the start of the summer transfer window, Manchester United look like they might be missing out one of their prime targets. Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to sign Freiburg’s 20-year-old German center half Matthias Ginter. Although Moyes was in Germany a few weeks ago to take a look at the center half, it looks like he has lost out to the Gunners in the race to sign one of Germany’s hottest young defensive prospects.

Having observed Ginter for a long time now, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sent out his chief scout, Steve Rowley to assess the 20-year-old, according to the the Daily Mirror. The 6ft 3 center half has had an outstanding season so far and has been one of the few bright sparks in Freiburg’s dismal season that sees them languishing above the relegation zone.

The German was impressive in Freiburg’s crucial away victory this past weekend and is increasingly looking like a complete defender that any team would love to have. The Gunners, like United, have kept a close eye on the defender, who made his full international debut against Chile and is likely to be on the plane to Brazil alongside Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker.

With Thomas Vermaelen likely to leave the Gunners at the end of this campaign, the German would prove to be a perfect replacement and in the long run, might just replace his compatriot Mertesacker. With Arsenal understood to have a good relationship with the club, the £8 m price tag is starting to look like chump change for an increasingly assured young center half.

Although Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have impressed this season, the Gunners don’t really have an adequate replacement should one of the pair get injured. And, the German would prove to be an invaluable asset and a diligent understudy to the duo who are doing so well right now.

Although the player professed that he was floored by the Manchester United connection, the truth is that, if the club decides to sell him to Arsenal, there isn’t much he can do about it. And that means that United have to start barking up another tree, as this one looks like it is taken.