According to claims from Spanish source AS, Arsenal have reignited their interest in Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam. The 27-year-old’s consistent performances at the back in the La Liga this term have been fantastic, to say the least.
Arsenal wanted to sign Dakonam last summer but Getafe were not willing to part ways with their prized asset for any fee below his £30 million release clause.
Dakonam has established himself as a rock at the back for La Liga surprise package Getafe, with the Spanish outfit currently 4th in the standings and very much in the race for making it to the Champions League for the first time.
The 27-year-old has made a total of 26 appearances in the La Liga and has been an integral part of a backline that has conceded a miserly 24 goals from 28 league outings.
Dakonam has helped Getafe achieve the second best defensive record in the Spanish top-flight, with Atletico Madrid being the only team to have conceded fewer goals.
Standing at just a shade below 6ft. in height, Dakonam is not particularly tall for a centre-back but he can be deceptive with his upper body strength, aggressive style and good understanding of the game.
Despite not being amongst the tallest men on the pitch, he is certainly not a pushover in the air, averaging 2.2 successful aerial duels in the La Liga.
Dakonam has also earned plaudits for his tackling and interceptions skills. He is never afraid to stick his foot out to cut out attacks, whilst also possessing the agility and the awareness to put his body on the line to make crucial challenges.
The 27-year-old has registered a total of 54 interceptions and has successfully completed 49 of his attempted 61 tackles, figures which are certainly impressive for a centre-back.
To put things into perspective, Arsenal should continue to monitor the player’s progress and make a move for him in the summer.
The Gunners have found themselves short of options at the back numerous times this season, with the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis, Laurent Koscielny and Konstantinos Mavropanos all spending time on the sidelines.
Rob Holding showed a lot of promise earlier in the season before being ruled out with a long-term knee injury.
Mustafi has struggled for form and has let the team down with moments of sloppiness at the back several times this season.
Arsenal also need to find a long-term successor to the throne of Koscielny, with the Frenchman reaching the final phase of his career at 33. Emery has been forced to field a makeshift defence at times, a ploy that has proved to be disastrous for the Gunners.
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Arsenal need more solidity at the back to challenge for silverware next term. The Gunners should back their new manager in the transfer market in order to build a formidable squad.
The 27-year-old might not be one of the household names in European football, but going by what he has shown at Getafe, Dakonam is very much capable of making an impact in the Premier League.