Transfer Centre

Arsenal interested in Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele?

By Devesh Jaganath | 27 January 2024

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele, who has also been on the radar of Bayern Munich, in the current transfer window.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele in the current transfer window.

The 26-year-old was linked with a possible move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the transfer window, but that seems unlikely now, with the Bavarians looking set to bring in Galatasaray's Sacha Boey instead.

The Gunners were expected to be fairly quiet in the transfer window after they splashed out around £200m in the summer to sign the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

However, Mikel Arteta's side have been hit with several injuries in defence this season, and a report from football.london suggests that Arsenal may look to bolster their defensive line this month.

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Nordi Mukiele leaves the field after receiving medical attention on January 6, 2023 © Reuters

The report adds that PSG are open to letting the French defender depart on a temporary basis in this transfer window, and the possibility of Mukiele joining the Gunners until the end of the season is seen as a risk-free move for the North London club.

Thomas Partey and Timber have been sidelined for the majority of the season, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have also missed several weeks in the current campaign due to injuries at various points.

There are also concerns around the fitness of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes and England international Rice, who were withdrawn in the second half of their last match against Crystal Palace.

Speaking after the match, Arteta provided the following statement regarding Rice's withdrawal: "No, he was feeling some tightness. "I don't know what muscle it was. But when he says that at 3-0 then obviously we don't want to take any risks."

When asked about Magalhaes, the Arsenal boss added: "The same with big Gabi. He had some discomfort from a tackle in the first half and he was struggling a bit so it was the right moment to take him off the field."

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique reacts on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

Mukiele is able to operate as a centre-back and down the right flank but has struggled to get game time under PSG manager Luis Enrique.

The 26-year-old is the clear second choice behind Achraf Hakimi at right-back at Parc des Princes while he is also competing for a spot in the side with the likes of Carlos Soler and Warren Zaire-Emery.

The defender has only made seven appearances in Ligue 1 and has featured just 10 times for the club across all competitions this season.

Arsenal are currently in third place in the Premier League standings with 43 points after 21 games and trail the current league leaders Liverpool by five points.

The Gunners will return to league action on Tuesday night when they head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.