Arsenal boss, Unai Emery traveled to Spain with the Summer Transfer Window already on his mind. The former PSG manager knows that Arsenal needs to strengthen the defense of his team if they are to challenge for titles or move up the table next season.
Unai Emery took advantage of Arsenal’s weekend off by traveling to Spain to take a look at Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam. The Gunners boss was in the stands as Valencia and Getafe played out a goalless draw at the Mestalla, where Emery was in charge from 2008-12.
While the 47-year-old will have been seeing old friends and colleagues, he also took the opportunity to keep tabs on Dakonam, a player that Arsenal were interested in over the summer.
Spanish publication AS report that Emery remains impressed with the 27-year-old and will most likely try and strike a deal at the end of the season.
Arsenal reportedly inquired over the services of the Togo international last summer and were told they would need to meet his release clause of €35m (£30m)
The central defender is still under contract until 2021, so Getafe may well stick to that asking price, being under no pressure to let him go.
Arsenal reportedly inquired over the services of the Togo international last summer and were told they would need to meet his release clause of €35m (£30m). The central defender is still under contract until 2021, so Getafe may well stick to that asking price, being under no pressure to let him go.
Djené moved to Benin in 2009, after graduating from Étoile Filante du Togo’s youth setup, joining Tonnerre d’Abomey. In 2011, he moved to Coton Sport in Cameroonian Elite One, appearing regularly afterwards.
Djené was named in the Coton Sport’s squad for the 2012 CAF Champions League campaign. On November 2013, he went on a trial at Ligue 2 side RC Lens, only returning to his parent club six months later
Djené went on a trial at Spanish Segunda División side AD Alcorcón,joining the club permanently in October. He made his debut on the following day, starting in a 1–3 home loss against Real Zaragoza
Djene arrived at Getafe in 2017 from Belgian side Sint-Truidense and has been a mainstay in the first XI ever since, making 36 La Liga starts last season and 26 so far this campaign. Getafe are enjoying a superb season, currently sitting fourth in La Liga after their most recent point away to Valencia.
Their success has been built on an excellent defence which has seen them concede just 24 goals in 28 league games.
Such have been Djene’s impressive displays that he has also been linked with a switch to Barcelona. However, his discipline could be brought into question having picked up nine yellow cards and one red this season.