There could be more movement than expected in Arsenal’s backline this summer.
Despite boasting the best defensive records in both the Premier League and Champions League last season, the Gunners have a series of decisions to make at the back.
Real Madrid are circling Riccardo Calafiori, and Arsenal have been tracking Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown as a potential addition on the left side of defence.
On the right, Ben White is expected to leave, with Tino Livramento among those being targeted as a replacement.
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Real Madrid signing Denzel Dumfries could also open the door for Arsenal to move for Ivan Fresneda from Sporting CP, a right-back who has long been on the club’s radar.
Now, another name has entered the frame on that side too.
Fabrizio Romano names Arsenal as potential suitors for Marco Palestra
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano hinted that Arsenal could enter the race for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra if Ben White departs.
“Arsenal on the right, for example, could do something — Ben White could leave, so there will certainly be other suitors,” Romano said, noting that Manchester City have also been observing the 21-year-old Italian.
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Newcastle had been willing to pay £50million plus bonuses for Palestra, but Romano made clear the player is not interested.
“I don’t think he’s making a financial choice, he’s making a project-based choice,” he said.
Palestra spent last season on loan at Cagliari after coming through Atalanta’s academy, earning his first Italy call-up in March.
At 21, he is already regarded as one of the best right-back profiles on the market.
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Comfortable with both feet, Palestra has played right-back, left-back and even wing-back in a three-man defence, which is exactly the sort of versatility that Arteta loves.
He is more of an elegant player rather than a physical one, but is described to read the game with maturity well beyond his years.
He is very technical too, offering dangerous crosses while possessing an engine which allows him to cover the full length of the flank for 90 minutes.
Links to the likes of Palestra and Brown point to an intention to change style to a more adventurous brand of football from Arteta.
The Arsenal boss has mostly adopted centre-back/full-back hybrids in these positions, such as White, Calafiori, and Piero Hincapie, rather than pure full-backs.
Perhaps, now that he has got that monkey off his back after winning the Premier League title, he is willing to play more expansive football.
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