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Last week, we covered claims from Germany that Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano are Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s preferred centre-back targets.

This week’s edition of SportBild states the Gunners are ‘very interested’ in acquiring Tah’s services for the next season.

However, the north London club face a few challenges to complete the Germany international’s signing.

Arsenal are placed ninth in the league table and they will not qualify for next season’s Champions League, which could impact on their attractiveness.

In addition to this, the defender’s €40m release clause can be another obstacle. It’s not the figure, but the validity of that clause which is cause for concern.

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It’s claimed that Tah’s buyout clause is only valid until May 31st and any potential suitors, including the Premier League side, must trigger this fee before the end of next month.

SportBild state Tah’s ‘€40m clause [is] worthless’, with it being thought that given the current Covid-19 situation, that would be near impossible to arrange. 

Therefore, Arsenal are facing a battle against time in their efforts to bring the 24-year-old to the club in the next transfer window.

Tah’s contract with Leverkusen runs down in 2023 and the €40m release clause will be applicable once again next year.