Arsenal make contact with Reims over highly-rated centre-back

Arsenal have made contact with Ligue 1 side Reims over a possible move for promising centre-back Axel Disasi, reports Goal.com. 

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is looking to add at least one new centre-back to his squad in the summer as he plans a summer revamp. 

William Saliba will return to the club at the end of the current campaign having spent the season on loan with Saint-Etienne, which was part of the stipulation that saw the French side cash in on the youngster. 

And Arsenal have been courting Disasi, who is set to leave Reims in the summer, as they look to bolster their ageing backline. 

The 22-year-old has just one year left to run on his contract with the French side and he is not prepared to sign a new deal, so Reims will sell this summer rather than lose him on a free in 2021. 

There is plenty of interest in the youngster from England, France and Germany, but Arsenal are looking to get a deal in place for the defender. 

Disasi has started 27 of Reims' 28 league games this season and has been crucial for a side that has shipped fewer goals (21) than any other team in France's top tier.