Arsenal transfer news: Gunners eye £34m Spurs target as Mudryk alternative

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Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing AS Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo as an alternative to Mykhailo Mudryk, though north London rivals Tottenham are also interested in the Italian.

According to La Repubblica via SportItalia, Arsenal are looking into the possibility of moving for Zaniolo this January, with Roma struggling to sign the 23-year-old down to a new contract amid growing interest in the Italian international from Premier League clubs.

And it now appears that Mikel Arteta’s side have joined the race once again for Zaniolo, who the Serie A side could potentially sell this month for €40m (£34m) if an offer were to be made for the youngster, with Jose Mourinho a massive fan of the attacker.

As mentioned, Arsenal are not alone in their interest in Zaniolo, with journalist Alfredo Pedulla recently reporting that Tottenham are also chasing the Roma star, who Mourinho once lauded as ‘extraordinary’ as the two north London sides could now do battle in the transfer market.

Indeed, Zaniolo is more a central attacker who this season has seen the majority of his football playing alongside or behind the likes of Tammy Abraham and Paulo Dybala in Roma’s attack. Yet for what Arsenal need in a forward this January, the 23-year-old could be an ideal signing.

As per Transfermarkt, Zaniolo can play out on the right wing and has had some experience on the left. And with Arsenal needing a versatile attacker, the Tottenham target could be a realistic transfer that Arteta could be looking to make this month having already missed out on Mudryk.

Arsenal beating Tottenham to Zaniolo signing would excite supporters

Having already done the double over Tottenham this season and now leading the Premier League by eight points, spirits are higher than ever in the red side of north London. And for Arsenal, beating the old enemy to a transfer target like Zaniolo would be another huge win in the eyes of supporters.

After all, Spurs have been linked with Zaniolo for quite some time. And Arsenal eventually being the club to land the Italian international would be another blow to Antonio Conte’s side, who could soon be out of forward options of their own in the transfer market.