Arsenal’s priority in the January transfer window is crystal clear.
The Gunners weren’t expected to do anything in the winter after spending a fortune on eight new players in the summer.
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However, injuries have hurt Mikel Arteta’s side yet again, and their biggest problem is in defence. They are so short of options there that Marli Salmon was the only defender on the bench during Arsenal’s win against Crystal Palace.
A new defender is a necessity in January, but there is some bad news coming in about one of Andrea Berta’s targets – Davide Bartesaghi.
AC Milan refuse to sell Davide Bartesaghi despite Arsenal interest
Bartesaghi has been making waves in Italy with his performances for AC Milan.
The 19-year-old is a left-sided defender by trade, but his appearances under Massimiliano Allegri this season have all come as a left midfielder.
Bartesaghi has been excellent in that role, and there are suggestions that he could even get into the Italy squad in the near future.
Berta, who is Italian himself, has been aware of the teenager for a while now. Reports have claimed that Arsenal even tried to sign Bartesaghi in the summer.
The Gunners’ interest has not gone away, but there is some bad news.
Tutto Mercato Web have revealed that AC Milan have decided that there is ‘no offer that will convince’ them to sell Bartesaghi anytime soon.
The youngster is under contract at the San Siro until the summer of 2030, so it will be difficult for Arsenal to change the Rossoneri’s minds in the January transfer window.
If you were Andrea Berta and could sign any player in the world right now, who would it be and why?
Forget Davide Bartesaghi, Arsenal should be looking at a different type of defender
Bartesaghi is a huge talent and has a bright future ahead of him.
Arsenal are not wrong to show interest in the 6ft 5in Italian, but the left side of their defence is well covered with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie available.
Berta should instead look at a more versatile option – someone like Jurrien Timber or Takehiro Tomiyasu, who can play anywhere across the backline.
It is difficult to find such a player in the middle of the season, but if anyone can, it’s Berta, who has exceeded all expectations since replacing Edu Gaspar at Arsenal.
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