Southampton pushing to sign Arsenal target

Southampton have made a move for Arsenal target and Reims defender Axel Disasi, according to The Mail on Sunday. 

The 22-year-old is expected to leave the French side this summer as he approaches the final year of his contract. 

Disasi's current deal with Reims runs until 2021 and given his reluctance to extend his stay with the club, Reims are set to sell this summer rather than lose him on a free next year. 

As such, interest in the youngster's services has increased significantly with Arsenal previously believed to be frontrunners to sign the defender. 

However, they will now face competition from Saints for Disasi, who has been a key player for a Reims side that has shipped fewer goals (21) than any other Ligue 1 side this season. 

Only Aston Villa (56) have shipped more goals than the south coast side (52) in the Premier League this term and head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl is looking to bring in at least one new centre-back this summer. 

The departure of Maya Yoshida for Sampdoria in January leaves Saints short of centre-back options with Disasi potentially available for as little as £13m.