Saliba injury sharpens Arsenal's £25m Mavropanos pursuit as PSG teenager snubs Gunners

Arsenal’s search for defensive reinforcements this summer has taken on fresh urgency after William Saliba was ruled out for up to five months following back surgery, while the club’s hopes of signing PSG teenager Emmanuel Mbemba have been ended by his move to Paris FC.

Saliba, who reportedly managed his back problems with painkillers during the closing weeks of the season, was forced off in the first half of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. The lengthy absence has accelerated Arsenal’s interest in Dinos Mavropanos, the Greek centre-back who spent part of his development at the Emirates before moving on.

Mavropanos, named West Ham’s player of the year last season, is expected to become available for around £25 million following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League. Arsenal are not alone in their interest, however, with Borussia Dortmund and Leeds United also identified as potential suitors for the 27-year-old.

On the attacking side of the squad, Arsenal have already lost Leandro Trossard, who was sold alongside Karl Hein and Jakub Kiwior. The combined fees from those three departures have broadly offset the £34.5m spent to make Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, alongside the arrival of backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Trossard’s replacement remains an open question given the Belgian’s contribution at key moments under Mikel Arteta last season.

The Mbemba pursuit, meanwhile, has come to nothing. The 18-year-old, who can operate at left-back or in central defence and captained PSG’s under-18 side, chose Paris FC over Arsenal and AS Monaco. He featured in the UEFA Youth League for PSG over the past two seasons, including as an unused substitute in a defeat to an Arsenal side that included Max Dowman in 2024.

“We are delighted that he has chosen our project,” Paris FC sporting director Marco Neppe said. “Emmanuel is a modern and talented left-footed defender. He already has numerous caps for the French youth national teams. His versatility, playing style, passion, and determination impressed us.”

Arsenal, who claimed their first Premier League title under Arteta this season, now face the challenge of strengthening a squad disrupted by injury and outgoings before the new campaign begins.