Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta held talks to sign the “Commander” defender, according to the report.
Gunner sets sights at the new centre back amid Saliba’s concerns
Gabriel and William Saliba’s Gunners centre-back partnership has received extensive acclaim over the past few seasons, with Jamie Carrager saying: “As a partnership, he and Gabriel are better than anything in the Premier League.
“I think Saliba is a better player, but Gabriel is a better leader and if Saliba wants to reach the level he wants to talk to Virgil van Dik, he needs to bring that into his game.
“Saliva needs Gabriel. Gabriel comes out of the team, so that’s not the same Saliva I’m watching.”
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a new striker this summer.
It has recently been revealed that the Brazilian defender is currently undergoing high-level consultations over a new contract to stay at Emirates Stadium, but with Real Madrid showing interest in Saliba, bringing a new centre-back this summer might be a wise idea.
Reports from the football transfer show that it is exactly what the people in North London are planning, moving ahead of Manchester United in the race for Palma defender Giovanni Leoni.
This is Arsenal’s level of interest in Leoni, and he is currently identified as one of their biggest defensive targets for the summer transfer period, with sports director Berta leading the deal to bring the 18-year-old to North London.
Juventus and Inter Milan are also taking part in the race for teenagers who joined Parma in a 8 million euro (£7 million) deal last summer.
Leoni’s “conductor” is impressed by Parma
At the start of the 2024-25 Serie A campaign, centre-backs found it difficult to get game time, but he managed to establish himself as a key player later in the season.
Football scout Ben Matinson was also impressed by the Italian defender, describing his airborne domination and dueling skills as “command,” and stating that the youngsters are “destined” to play for top clubs.
Leoni has yet to prove himself over a sustained period, but his appearance as a first team at such a young age is a good sign, and the Parma Ace could be a solid addition to Mikel Arteta’s team.
That said, there are many other interesting young defenders on Arsenal’s list of nominees. Arteta may even decide to oppose bringing in a new centre-back, given that Gabriel and Saliba are almost certainly not nonprofitable when they fit.
