Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger targets Manchester City defender Jason Denayer

On the same day Manchester City were linked with an Arsenal defender, now comes a story with roles reversed.

City defender Jason Denayer is one of two young, versatile defenders being considered by Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger along with Borussia Dortmund’s Matthias Ginter, according to an exclusive in The Sun.

Although 21-year-old Denayer’s natural position is centre-back, he also impressed in the right-back role on loan at Galatasaray and this appeals to Wenger, who The Sun claims is a big fan of the Belgian.

Denayer wants first-team football and should City follow through with plans to sign two new centre-backs, he could find chances hard to come by at the Etihad. Even at right-back, he could find it difficult, with Zabaleta still in town and replacements linked even if he is to leave.

That this story comes on the same day that City’s interest in Hector Bellerín was reported is interesting and the first thought in many minds will be ‘swap deal?’. Denayer is rated at £15 million by City, according to the story, which could bring Arsenal’s hefty price tag for Bellerín down were he to tell Wenger he wants a move.

Besides Kelechi Iheanacho, Denayer has been viewed as the closest City youth player to breaking into the first team, with many of the belief that he’d join the squad after another year out on loan. However, were John Stones and another defender, Leonardo Bonucci for example, to arrive, the talented young Belgian may be better off seeking a move away and Arsenal would surely appeal to him.