Arsenal have been linked with young sensation Radu Dragusin in recent days, but the Genoa defender is now set to sign a new contract at his club.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that the 21-year-old will now not be moving in the January transfer window.
Dragusin is a towering centre-back, and has been in fine form for Genoa this season, leading to links with the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle.
Arsenal may look to sign a defender to shore up depth in the back line, as Mikel Arteta has just six main options to choose from, and the young Romanian talent could have been a long-term option.
Fabrizio Romano reveals Arsenal’s Dragusin blow
Romano has now confirmed that Dragusin, who is also being watched by Newcastle, will sign a new contract at Genoa. Whilst this does not rule him out of a move in the summer, it almost certainly means that the defender, who has previously been valued at £35m, will no longer be an option for Arsenal in the winter window.
“Albert Gudmunsson and Radu Dragusin will both sign new long term deals at Genoa,” Romano tweeted.
“(Newcastle) scouts recently in attendance to follow Dragusin as potential future CB target but Genoa want to keep both of them at least until June 2024.”
Could Arsenal target Dragusin in the summer?
If Arsenal choose not to sign a defender in the January transfer window, with a midfielder currently being prioritised amidst Thomas Partey’s uncertain future, then Dragusin could still remain a target in the summer.
He could arrive in a similar manner to Takehiro Tomiyasu, who also joined as a young but experienced defender from a mid-table Serie A side, and could provide cover for William Saliba.
Dragusin’s new contract may mean his price tag shoots up, particularly if he continues his excellent form for Genoa, but given the potential for the Romanian to be an option for years to come, he could be a worthwhile investment for Edu Gaspar and Arteta.
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