Mainz signed Jean-Philippe Gbamin from French club Lens in 2016.
Since making a switch to Germany, the centre-back has featured regularly for the Bundesliga outfit. This term, he’s made 25 starts in the league and has scored two goals in the process.
According to Sport Bild, the 23-year-old’s displays for his current employer have seen him draw attention and clubs in England are ‘interested’ in the defender.
While talking about clubs in England, the report explains Arsenal are also included in the list. The German publication asks: ‘Gbamin, for €35m to England?’
There is no mention of names of other Premier League clubs in the race to sign the Ivory Coast international.
Last summer, Mainz allowed another centre-back, Abdou Diallo, to join Borussia Dortmund for €28m.
Sport Bild claim the German side are expecting Gbamin to leave the club in the summer and his transfer will be a club record sale (beating Diallo’s current record) as they are expected to cash in €35m from the player’s exit.
Mainz sporting director Rouven Schröder is expected to utilise the funds from the sale of Gbamin to strengthen the squad for next season.
The report suggests Mainz are convinced the defender will be sold in the next transfer window and with Arsenal cited as one of the potential suitors, it should be seen if the Gunners can secure Gbamin’s services.
