Juventus have launched a full scale attempt to sign Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Italian giants see the Brazil centre half as the perfect replacement for veteran defender Georgio Chiellini who is leaving the club this summer.
Juventus have been courting Gabriel for a while but have now stepped up their attempts and believe they can lure him away from the Emirates this summer.
Arsenal are acutely aware of the Juventus interest and may look to offer him an improved deal to keep him but the Italians are refusing to take no for an answer.
The question will be whether they can turn Gabriel’s head with the lure of Champions League after Arsenal missed out on Europe’s top competition.
They are looking to rebuild their squad having also made Paul Pogba a big offer to sign him as a free agent this summer as they believe they are in pole position ahead of Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has built a solid defence based around Gabriel and his centre back partner Ben White and they have looked much more secure.
They will be determined to keep Gabriel although the club are actually already on the look out for a left sided centre half as one of the areas of the squad they need to improve.
Arsenal already have France defender William Saliba out on loan at Marseille but could recall him this summer, although he has publicly stated he is keen to stay at the French club and play in the Champions League.
Arsenal have back up on the other side with Rob Holding but centre back is an area they need to strengthen rather than significantly weaken by losing Gabriel.
Gabriel joined Arsenal in 2020 for a deal worth up to £27m after beating off competition from Everton and Manchester United but his form has drawn admiring glances and he has scored five goals in the Premier League this season. Arsenal know they could easily double their money if they sold but do not want to let him go.
However, Juventus are red hot on Gabriel so Arsenal will have a battle to keep one of their best defenders.
