Arsenal have "genuine interest" in signing 28yo Italian star

Arsenal have a ‘genuine interest’ in signing Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco, according to Italian publication Tuttosport.

The Gunners added more defensive quality and depth last summer with the signings of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.

Hincapie was only signed on an initial loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen, but there is a conditional obligation to purchase him.

The Ecuadorian is one of the left-back solutions at manager Mikel Arteta’s disposal this term.

Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber have also started in the position for the Gunners during the campaign.

Hincapie and Calafiori are injured at the moment, but they are expected to return in the near future.

Amidst this, Tuttosport claim that the Gunners have ‘their sights’ on landing Inter left wing-back Dimarco.

The Italian outlet add that Arsenal’s interest in the player is genuine, but the Serie A leaders are determined to avoid his exit.

His current deal expires in June next year, and the Nerazzurri are planning talks as early as February to commit him to new terms.

Dimarco could be agent-driven

The Italian started his career as primarily a left-back, but he has been largely successful as a left wing-back for the Nerazzurri over the years.

In the current campaign, Dimarco has been a major attacking influence, contributing four goals and seven assists across 19 Serie A appearances.

He has not had much defensive work due to Inter’s 3-5-2 formation, but has still been effective, averaging almost two tackles, two clearances and four recoveries per game.

The 28-year-old is presently in his sixth full campaign at the San Siro giants and in our view, the speculation could be agent-driven.

Inter host Arsenal in the Champions League tomorrow, and the story linking him with the Gunners does not appear to be a mere coincidence.

His representative is probably using Arsenal’s name to speed up negotiations with the Nerazzurri over a new long-term deal beyond next season.

Dimarco would be a fine acquisition for Arsenal given his attacking traits, but he has played so little as a left-back at club level in recent seasons.

Furthermore, the Gunners are well stocked in the left-back department, and may not make a big outlay on another signing for the role this year.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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