Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Matteo Darmian, who looks set to move away from Manchester United in the summer.
According to a report by TransferMarketWeb, Matteo Darmian is the subject of interest from Arsenal, who are set for a squad revamp in the summer transfer window. The Manchester United defender is also commanding interest from several Serie A sides and could be available for as little as €18 million.
Darmian joined Manchester United in the summer of 2015 with a burgeoning reputation of being one of the best full-backs in Italy. But, after a strong start to life at Old Trafford, the player has hit a roadblock, especially under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
Over the last two seasons, Darmian has largely played second fiddle to Antonio Valencia, managing just 42 appearances in all competitions. While he has proven to be a useful deputy on both sides of defence, the player’s time at Manchester United is definitely coming to an end. And, Arsenal could provide him a way out of Old Trafford.
The Gunners are set for a major reshaping of their squad in the summer transfer window after another disastrous league campaign. While Arsene Wenger’s own future is highly uncertain, Sven Mislintat is on hand to make the recruitments for the first-team squad.
As far as the right-back slot is concerned, Hector Bellerin is the only natural full-back at Wenger’s disposal. The likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Calum Chambers have also been deployed by the Arsenal boss in the right-back slot in Bellerin’s absence, but the duo are only makeshift options.
Meanwhile, Bellerin’s own future at Arsenal is under a cloud, with Manchester United coincidentally among the clubs in his pursuit. The need to sign a right-back is, thus, urgent for the North Londoners, making Darmian a viable solution, who could provide his best years at Emirates.
Arsenal though, won’t be the only club in pursuit of Darmian, with just about every top Serie A side looking to land the Manchester United outcast in the summer transfer window. What will further make the race to sign him an all-out battle is the miserly price tag that Manchester United have slapped on him.
The Red Devils are looking for just €18 million in exchange for his services, a figure that no club is likely to be held back by. It now remains to be seen if Arsenal land a Manchester United player for the second successive transfer window, as Darmian’s time at Old Trafford looks to be coming to an end.
