SPORT: Arsenal Interested In Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez But Club Refuses To Meet £40 Millon Valuation

Arsenal are in talks with Atletico Madrid over defender Jose Gimenez, but his £40m valuation could be a stumbling block, the Daily Mail reports. 

The Gunners are desperately short of centre-backs, with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel all sidelined and only youngsters Callum Chambers and Rob Holding currently available in the position.

The 21-year-old is thought to have a release clause of around £56m, and he made 37 appearances under Diego Simeone last season.

According to Daily mail on Wednesday afternoon Arsenal continued  talks with Atletico Madrid, who are demanding a fee in the region of £40m.

Gimenez is believed to be open to a move to London and the Premier League but the Gunners are baulking at Atletico’s current valuation.

Arsenal, however, also remain locked in discussions with Valencia over German Shkodran Mustafi as they attempt to secure a new defender as soon as possible.