Italian outlet La Lazio Siamo Noi claim Arsenal have joined Atalanta and Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio in the race to sign Dinamo Zagreb defender Josip Sutalo. The highly-rated star is valued at £6million by his current club.
Sutalo, 22, rejoined Dinamo Zagreb last summer after only nine senior appearances for his current club – but having impressed on loan at NK Istra. This season, Sutalo has been largely first choice, playing 28 times.
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The five-time Croatia Under-21 international has not only been defensively astute – helping Dinamo keep 16 clean sheets in his 28 games – but has also proved lethal in the other box. Scoring three, he has laid on four assists.
The Italian outlet reports that Lazio are monitoring the defender ahead of a potential summer move – with a bargain £6million fee needed. But they find Arsenal and Atalanta as competitors for Sutalo’s signature this summer.
Arsenal eye Sutalo: Good cover for the likes of Ben White and Gabriel?
Arsenal do have options to come in and replace White and Gabriel – but not many. In the current squad, only Rob Holding is the current option – though Takehiro Tomiyasu can play in the middle, after selling Calum Chambers.
Kieran Tierney has done a job there for Celtic, too. Out on loan, Arsenal have Konstantinos Mavropanos and Pablo Mari – but both are expected to leave permanently. William Saliba is more likely to return in the summer.
But nevertheless, Arsenal could do with another central defender – especially with Holding perhaps open to a move after coming close last summer. Sutalo is young, cheap and has European experience. Ideal.
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