Arsenal keen on Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye ahead of the summer transfer window

Arsenal are keen on signing Barcelona B defender Mikayil Ngor Faye (also known as Mika Faye) during the summer transfer window, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

The 19-year-old joined Barcelona Atletic from NK Kustosija and is yet to make his first-team debut, but he has established himself as a regular for the Spanish third-tier club, starting in all his 21 appearances so far and weighing in with two goals.

Faye dreams of breaking into the Barca senior team, which was why he rejected both Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund last summer despite their willingness to triple the wages his current club offered him.

Arsenal appear to have been impressed with the versatile defender as he is also very much capable of playing at centre-back, with his physical strength and frame qualities that stand out.

Faye has plenty of pace to burn, is very comfortable getting forward and would often beat his marker with his speed on the outside.

He is also very comfortable in possession and is eager to play penetrative passes from the back when playing in the middle, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta loves defenders with these attributes.

However, Arsenal are not the only ones keen on recruiting the services of the Senegalese, with RC Lens, OGC Nice and Lille all interested in bringing him to Ligue 1.

Lens already had an offer of €9 million rejected in January, and around €18m could be enough for cash-strapped Barcelona to part with a player they bought for €2.2m.

Dortmund also remain keen, and like other suitors are willing to offer him wages more than what he currently earns, but a move to the Premier League could be more appealing to Faye, which could give Arsenal an upper hand in the race.

Left-back is a position Arteta could look to strengthen in the summer, and landing one who is also capable of playing as a left-sided centre-back is a plus.