Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Abdou Diallo from Mainz in the mid-season transfer window, according to French outlet RMC Sport, as quoted by the Daily Mirror.

The newly-appointed Arsenal scout Sven Mislintat has identified Diallo as the club’s first target since joining the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund.

The north Londoners have already made contact with the German side Mainz ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

The France Under-21 captain joined Mainz from AS Monaco in the summer and scored twice in 15 Bundesliga games so far this season.

It has been suggested that the 21-year-old defender could go straight into the first team at The Emirates.

The Premier League giants could be on the lookout for reinforcements for the second half of the season, especially after knowing the fact that star players Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez could be set to leave the Emirates at the end of the season.