Desperate Arsenal ‘have second bid of around £65m for defender Dayot Upamecano rejected’

DESPERATE Arsenal have raised their bid for Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano to £65million – but still seen it rejected

Gunners boss Unai Emery has made defensive improvements his transfer priority.

And so far Leipzig have reportedly suggested they are keen on a deal involving Arsenal’s attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.

The Gunners are thought to have had a £55m offer for Upamecano, 20, rejected as Emery intensifies his hunt for reinforcements.

Emery rates Smith Rowe, 19, at around £25m after his loan spell with Bundesliga side Leipzig in the second half of last term.

Nicolas Pepe became the club’s record signing when Arsenal forked out £72 to Lille, and joined Dani new arrivals Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli at the Emirates.

Arsenal’s main focus is bringing players in but the only centre-back to arrive – William Saliba – was immediately loaned back to St Etienne.

Former Gunners’ club skipper Laurent Koscielny today completed his £4.6m switch to Ligue 1 Bordeaux after nine years at the Emirates

That left current central defenders Calum Chambers and Sokratis to start the Gunners’ final pre-season friendly against Barcelona, with Shkodran Mustafi coming on as sub.