Arsenal now interested in £35m ‘warrior’ who could be Tomiyasu 2.0

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Arsenal may look to sign a defender in the January transfer window, and they have now been linked with Genoa wonderkid Radu Dragusin.

The 21-year-old has played in every minute of Genoa’s Serie A campaign this season, with his side currently sitting in 13th place, and he scored his first goal of the season with a stunning volley to beat Hellas Verona on Friday.

The Romanian international is a tall centre-back, who has occasionally featured at right-back, and he could follow the path set by popular Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arsenal are interested in Radu Dragusin

Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale has now claimed that Arsenal, as well as Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan among others, are all tracking Dragusin, who moved to Genoa from Juventus last year.

A potential fee of around €40m (£35m) has previously been touted for the youngster, who has made 54 appearances for Genoa, having also appeared for Salernitana, Sampdoria and Juventus in the past.

Dragusin could follow Tomiyasu path

Arsenal signed Tomiyasu two years ago from Serie A side Bologna, who had finished the previous season in 12th.

Like Dragusin, Tomiyasu was a player who had appeared as both a centre-back and a full-back, and he was just 22 at the time of his signing from a middling Italian side.

Tomiyasu is thriving in multiple positions now, and has become a very popular figure this season.

Dragusin may have the potential to thrive at Arsenal like Tomiyasu before him. At 1.91m tall, he provides a commanding presence at the back, and has been described as a “warrior.”

With Jurrien Timber still injured, and Arsenal lacking in depth at the back, Dragusin may be targeted as a long-term option, who could also provide immediate cover for William Saliba and Ben White on the right-hand side.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will prioritise a defender or a midfielder in January, but if they do try to sign a centre-back, then Dragusin would certainly be a strong option.