Premier League side Arsenal are leading the race to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports in Italy.
The Gunners are on the lookout for a new midfielder in the January transfer window with rumours rife over the summer that Mikel Arteta would bring in extra competition for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
However, despite strong rumours linking them with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Arsenal only brought in Fabio Vieira, who operates more as an attacking midfielder.
Manchester United were understood to be close to sealing a deal for Juve midfielder Rabiot in the summer transfer window before they eventually opted for Casemiro after a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong failed to come to fruition.
There have been rumours that Arsenal could finally make a bid for Tielemans next month but Calciomercatoweb insist that it’s likely that the Gunners will land Rabiot.
The report adds that Arsenal are ‘the club further ahead in the race’ for the France international – who was part of the side which lost to Argentina in the World Cup final – ‘especially with a view to June on a free transfer’.
Calciomercatoweb add that Rabiot is ‘not the only name associated with the Gunners’ with Arteta ‘looking for a new defender’ in January.
They descibe Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar as a ‘hot name for Arsenal’ and the Gunners ‘could even override PSG for’ the Slovakia international.
Both Skriniar and Rabiot are coming to the end of their contracts at their respective clubs with both their deals finishing in the summer.
On the battle for Skriniar, Calciomercatoweb adds: ‘The transfer market duel could be the one between the Gunners and the Parisians, unless Inter soon comes to an agreement with the player.’
And Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport claim that Arsenal are also battling Chelsea for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who picked the Old Lady over the Gunners last January.
The publication adds: ‘Chelsea and Arsenal would be ready to unleash an all-London derby, with United as the third wheel, while PSG and Bayern remain very attentive. In January, there don’t seem to be sensational jolts in sight; next summer who knows.’
Arsenal’s interest in Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk seems to be genuine and Sky Sports pundit Mark McAdam issued an update yesterday.
McAdam said: “Mykhaylo Mudryk has been teasing Arsenal fans by watching the side in action. He’s probably one of the most exciting wingers in European football and has the potential to go right to the very top.
“He’s a 21-year-old Ukrainian international and Arsenal are continuing their dialogue with Shakhtar Donetsk.
“There have been some reports that their initial offer of £55m has been rejected. There is a gap between what Arsenal are willing to pay and what Shakhtar are willing to receive. They are discussing the structure of the deal.
“The player is keen on the move which makes Arsenal a lot more comfortable with the situation.”
