Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has opened talks to sign the “direct” defender, who is now the highest defensive target in the summer transfer window, a report said.
Gunners aim at new centre-backs on Saliba’s focus
Over the past few seasons, the Gunners’ central defender partnership with Gabriel and William Saliba has received widespread praise, Jamie Carragher said: “As a partnership, he and Gabriel are as good as anything in the Premier League.
“I think Saliba is a better player, but Gabriel is a better leader and if he wants to get to the level we talked about with Virgil Van Dijk, it needs to be brought into his game.
“Saliba needs Gabriel. Since Gabriel has already stood out from the team, the Saliba I’m watching is not the same.”
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It was recently revealed that Brazil’s defender is now in high-level talks on a new deal to stay at the Emirates Stadium, but Real Madrid expressed interest in Saliba and it might be a wise idea to introduce a new central defender this summer.
According to a report from football pickup, it’s exactly what the North Londoners plan to do, now heading to Manchester United in a match against Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
That’s how much Arsenal’s interest in Leoni, who is now identified as one of the biggest defensive targets in the summer transfer window, with sports director Berta leading a deal to bring the 18-year-old to North London.
Juventus and Inter Milan also competed in the teenager, with Parma hitting a €8 million (£7 million) deal last summer, which proved to be a shrewd investment given that he has become a key player in the Italian side.
“Conductor” Leoni left a deep impression on Parma
At the start of Serie A 2024-25, the centre-back found the game time difficult to get, but he managed to establish himself as a key player in the second half of the season, an impressive feat at such a young age.
Football scout Ben Mattinson was also impressed by the Italian defender, describing his aerial dominance and duel ability as “command”, while also saying that the youngsters are “destined” to play for top clubs.
Leoni hasn’t proven himself for a while, but his presence among such a young frontline player can only bode well, and Parma Ace may be a solid addition to Mikel Arteta’s roster.
That said, there are many other interesting young defenders on Arsenal’s finalists, and given Gabriel and Saliba can argue that Ateta could even decide not to bring new centre-backs.
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