Arsenal are in the market for a central defender this summer, as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta look to provide William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes with more cover and competition.
The Gunners are aware that Jakub Kiwior may leave the club this summer after enjoying an impressive run in Arteta’s side, and that a replacement may need to be sourced.
Dean Huijsen was a target for Arsenal, although the North Londoners have ultimately been forced to look elsewhere as Real Madrid pounced on the young Spaniard.
Christhian Mosquera was also linked with a switch to the Emirates, but RB Leipzig now appear to have reached an agreement to sign the Valencia man.
Arsenal leapfrog Manchester United in race for Giovanni Leoni
Spezia don’t have a sell-on clause included in their deal for Kiwior with Arsenal, while the Pole is understood to be keen on a move, and these two factors are likely to lead to his exit from North London this summer.
Berta needs to start looking for someone who can provide reliable cover for Saliba and Gabriel, and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni may fit the bill.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have leapfrogged Manchester United in the race to sign Leoni, who is also attracting attention from Juventus and Inter Milan.
United are monitoring the Italian centre-back’s progress, although it’s believed that if Arsenal move swiftly to secure his services, then this could prove decisive in determining the player’s next club.
There’s little indication as to what sort of price tag Arsenal would need to stump up to land the youngster, or as to where Leoni’s preference is.
Should Arsenal sign Giovanni Leoni?
Emerging through the ranks at Serie C side Padova, Leoni joined Parma in the Italian top flight last summer after a successful loan spell at Sampdoria the year before in Serie B.
Making 17 appearances across all competitions for Parma last season, the 18-year-old thoroughly impressed and has been touted as one of the most promising young centre-backs in Italian football.
Astute on the ball and physically commanding at 6’5, Leoni has the right attributes that suggest he could thrive in Arteta’s possession-oriented and controlled side.
When Saliba and Gabriel are fit, they are likely to play almost all of the time, meaning someone like Leoni, who is willing to spend time on the bench as he continues his development, makes sense for the Gunners.
On paper, it’s exactly the sort of deal Berta should be doing this summer if he is forced into acquiring another defender by Kiwior’s prospective exit.
However, much may depend on the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu, and the Gunners may ultimately opt to rely on the Japanese if he can recover from his relentless injury issues.
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