Arsenal were once heavily linked with a move to sign Axel Disasi – now, Tottenham Hotspur are looking to make a move for the French defender.
Reports revealed this week that Spurs are battling Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid to sign the talented Monaco centre-half, who played 45 times for the Principality club in all competitions last season.
It is no secret that Tottenham are on the lookout for a new central defender this summer, and the report claimed that after two years of keeping an eye on Disasi, the North Londoners ‘really like’ him now.
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Spurs, however, aren’t the only club who have been watching Disasi over the years, Arsenal did too. The Gunners were even thinking of signing the Frenchman two years ago, but Mikel Arteta decided against it in the end.
Arsenal chose Pablo Mari over Axel Disasi
Back in 2020, Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Disasi, who was at Stade Reims then. The Gunners had entered talks to sign him, with The Mail reporting that a £15 million fee was also discussed.
Arsenal fans were really excited about Disasi then, and the fact that he was available for such a low fee made them look forward to the deal even more. However, Arteta decided to pursue another defender in the end.
The Gunners had signed Pablo Mari from Flamengo on loan in January of that year. Arteta’s requirement in the summer window that followed the Spaniard’s arrival was a left-footed centre-half, claimed The Athletic, as relayed by The Mail.
Disasi, who is a ‘powerful‘ right-footed defender, wasn’t fancied by Arteta, and the Gunners ‘dropped’ his interest in him. Mari was then signed on a permanent deal in the summer window.
Spurs could now sign Disasi
Tottenham’s requirement now is fairly similar to what Arsenal’s was two years ago. Antonio Conte is looking for a left-footed centre-half to play on the left side of his three-man defence.
Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni is reportedly Spurs’ top target and he’d be perfect. However, the Italian prefers to stay at the San Siro, which has forced Tottenham to look elsewhere.
Gleison Bremer is reportedly an option and he’s right-footed. Now, Disasi, another right-footer, is said to be on Tottenham’s wish list, and they are set to go head to head against Atletico Madrid for his signature.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out, but if Spurs sign Disasi and he succeeds in the Premier League, Arsenal boss Arteta will likely kick himself.
