Arsenal ‘believe’ 18-year-old wonderkid would ‘provide’ two things for Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal have now been linked with one of the most promising teenage defenders in European football ahead of the summer transfer window.

Mikel Arteta may look to add a defender to his ranks to provide extra cover and avoid a similar disaster to last season as William Saliba’s injury ended their chances of title glory.

Although there were links with Jorrel Hato of Ajax, Arsenal are also exploring options at centre-back, as well as defenders on either flank, and they have now been linked with Juventus wonderkid Dean Huijsen.

The 18-year-old is currently on loan at Roma, where he is beginning to shine in Serie A, and there are several clubs interested in him.

Arsenal are tracking Juventus centre-back Dean Huijsen

A report from TuttoJuve has now claimed that Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United are all keen on the defender.

“Arsenal, who are in the running for the Premier League title and want to excel in the UEFA Champions League, believe Huijsen would provide depth and defensive coverage,” the report stated.

Huijsen would not arrive as an immediate starter, but as someone who can develop within the club, and provide depth for Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Arsenal have been somewhat lucky so far that neither centre-back has picked up an injury, and they do have Ben White and Jakub Kiwior as options, but both players have predominantly featured at full-back this season.

Do Arsenal need to sign another centre-back?

The injury problems suffered by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber reduced Arsenal’s defensive depth this season, but this was not a problem at centre-back.

One more defender may be a welcome addition to the squad, but Arsenal may benefit more from a versatile option who can cover the flanks.

Huijsen is a big talent, but is still raw, having made just 12 appearances for Roma in his loan spell, and he would benefit more from regular action than being on the bench at Arsenal at this stage of his career.

It would therefore be a surprise to see Arsenal move for Huijsen, but if they do, they may loan him out elsewhere to repeat the success they found with Saliba as a defensive wonderkid.

There is perhaps enough cover at centre-back with Kiwior and White, as well as Tomiyasu and Timber able to play there, but a left-back may be seen as a more necessary signing for Arteta this summer.