8 Sept 2026 11:07 BST |
4 min read
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Arsenal reportedly sent scouts to watch Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho in action against Lille in late August as they continue to monitor his progress ahead of the January transfer window.
The Ecuador international has established himself as one of the top centre-backs in world football since his arrival at PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt and he has played a pivotal role as Luis Enrique’s side have cemented their place as the best team in Europe over the past two seasons.
CaughtOffside report that Arsenal and Manchester City have both produced detailed scouting reports on the 24-year-old, while they sent club officials to watch him live in action during PSG’s 2-2 draw versus Lille on 28 August.
It’s claimed that Liverpool and Real Madrid have also expressed their interest in Pacho, but PSG have strengthened their negotiations position by tying him down to a lucrative new five-year contract at the Parc des Princes.
His new deal now isn’t due to expire until 2031 and it would therefore take “an extraordinary offer” for PSG to even consider a sale during the January transfer window, while any move would also require the player to actively confirm his desire to leave.
Arsenal reportedly view Pacho, who could feasibly become the first €100 million defender in football history if he leaves PSG, as “another high-level left-footed defensive option”, but they simply don’t need another player in his position.
Why Mikel Arteta should block Willian Pacho move
There is no question that Arsenal’s squad would improve with the addition of Pacho, however Arteta isn’t playing Football Manager and the Gunners must use their transfer kitty wisely next year.
Having signed Cristhian Mosquera, Ezri Konsa and Piero Hincapie in the last two years, Arsenal now boast the greatest defensive roster in world football and while Pacho would add to that, he would be a luxury extra.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba remain Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice centre-back partnership when they are both fully fit and with Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Mosquera, Konsa and Hincapie all capable of deputising in the middle of defence, the Gunners would be better off using their transfer funds in other areas of the pitch.
The left-wing position, for example, remains a potential issue, despite Christos Tzolis’ eye-catching start to life at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal tried, and failed, to sign Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior, Bradley Barcola and Malick Fofana over the summer, but there will likely be alternative options in the market next year and given this is a position that can be upgraded, Arteta shouldn’t waste his limited resources on bringing Pacho to the club, despite his talent.
The centre forward issue, meanwhile, has been negated by Kai Havertz’s sparkling form at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, but interest in Julian Alvarez is unlikely to dissipate overnight and Arsenal would likely be tempted into a deal if he conveys his willingness to discuss a transfer.
Atletico Madrid would demand a fee in excess of €150m to sanction a sale and given Arsenal have largely been reluctant to sell first-team stars since the appointment of Arteta, they will only be able to afford that fee if they end their interest in Pacho.
The Ecuador star is a fantastic central defender, however Gabriel is arguably a superior player and given Arsenal’s squad still isn’t perfect, they should use their remaining transfer funds to bolster their attack in order to give Arteta the tools to finally win the Champions League.
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