Arsenal could have secured target for £9m, he’s now set to sign contract with £854m release clause

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Arsenal have found a number of bargains ever since Edu took control of recruitment at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners somehow managed to sign Martin Odegaard for just £30m and also snapped up Gabriel Martinelli for only £6m with the Brazilian Director’s help – while the £27m signing of Gabriel Magalhaes was a bargain too.

There was another steal staring Arsenal right in the face – but that is now set to slip away from Mikel Arteta and Edu…

Arsenal target Pau Cubarsi set to sign new contract

Well – according to Spanish news outlet SPORT – the £8.5m release clause of Barcelona wonderkid Pau Cubarsi was attracting Arsenal.

The 17-year-old has been a revelation under Xavi this season, winning the Man of the Match award in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg victory over Napoli, while also breaking into Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad.

Arsenal – therefore – could have potentially secured themselves a bargain by signing Cubarsi for just £8.5m, although he is now set to sign a new contract and take his value far beyond that small fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The reliable Italian journalist wrote: “Pau Cubarsi’s new contract at Barca will include a release clause worth €1bn (£854m). Deco has already negotiated terms with Cubarsi’s agents two weeks ago.

“Final details are being sorted but Barca count on Cubarsi to sign new deal soon as key part of present/future project.”

Edu eyeing another defender closer to home

Cubarsi was not the only central defender in Edu’s sights.

A story from The Times claims that Arsenal are interested in Crystal Palace No.6 Marc Guehi this summer, with the south Londoners fearful of losing the England international.

It is said that the the 23-year-old is expected to cost £55m.

While that is – of course – far more than the £8.5m Cubarsi was available for, it is a fair asking price for a young but experienced England international with plenty of room for growth.

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Arsenal seem likely to sign a new central defender this summer.