According to Mirror, Arsenal are plotting a move for Odilon Kossounou. The Gunners have been impressed with the performances of the Club Brugge defender this season, with former players Gervinho and Emmanuel Eboue also suggesting his name. As a result, Kossounou has emerged as a top target for Mikel Arteta, with the player likely to cost only around £8.5 million.
Who Is Odilon Kossounou?
Kossounou joined Club Brugge in the summer of 2019, in a £3.4 million move from Hammarby. He moved to Belgium in search of more prominence, and after making just seven appearances in his debut campaign, the Ivorian is starting to make his presence felt in central Europe.
Indeed, Kossonou has become the first-choice defender at Club Brugge, having notched up 21 league appearances. His performances alongside Brandon Mechele have been critical, especially in the absence of Stefano Denswil due to injury. The duo has paired excellently, helping their team dominate the Jupiler Pro League.
The 20-year-old has also made his mark in the UEFA Champions League, although Brugge were knocked out of the competition in the group stages. Nevertheless, he is set to play a key role in the club’s Europa League campaign during the remainder of the season.
What Can He Bring To The Table?
A central defender by trade, Kossounou is primarily known for his imposing frame at the back. He is quite dominant in the air while his physically astute nature might make him an ideal fit in the Premier League.
In addition, the Ivorian is quite versatile. He can operate as a holding midfielder and even as a right-back if necessary. Another key asset is Kossounou’s game is his ability to feature on both sides in central defence, and the rather flawless nature of his passing. It makes him quite a well-rounded defender.
Is He A Good Option For Arsenal?
Arsenal could be in for a major overhaul in the defensive unit this summer. They have already offloaded two fringe centre-backs in Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi while Calum Chambers is unlikely to remain at Emirates.
It should leave Mikel Arteta with only a few options in central defence, including Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding and David Luiz, who is already in the final stage of his career.
A move for Kossounou, therefore, makes sense. He could add some much-needed competition in the defensive unit and alongside William Saliba, could emerge as the face of the Arsenal defence in the future.
He has already shown a lot of promise at the highest level of football and is capable of offering versatility to the table for Arteta. For a fee of just £8.5 million, the Club Brugge man could indeed turn out to be a major bargain for the Gunners.
