Arsenal leading long list of clubs chasing Juventus star Merih Demiral as Arteta makes defender transfer top priority
ARSENAL are the most serious contenders to sign Juventus centre-back Merih Demiral, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has caught the attention of some of Europe's most glamorous clubs.
AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Schalke are all thought to like the Turkish defender - with Manchester United also having been linked.
According to Turkish newspaper , however, Arsenal hold the most serious interest in the 21-year-old.
Demiral only joined Juventus in the summer, arriving from Sassuolo for around £15.3million.
But speculation has persistently surrounded his future, with his playing opportunities until recently having been limited under Maurizio Sarri.
He has fought his way into the team, however, having started the Serie A champions' last four games in all competitions.
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But that hasn't discouraged the Gunners, with a £42.5million bid being readied.
Boss Mikel Arteta revealed that he intends to enter the transfer market for a defender, after the news that Calum Chambers will likely be missing for nine months after sustaining a devastating ACL injury.
He said: "It’s a bad injury and that has changed our plans at the back. So we’ll try to look in the transfer market for options to strengthen the team.
“That is our obligation and we are going to be working on that but the reality is that we’re not going to be able to do much.
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“At the moment I’m more concerned with getting people back from and trying to improve the players we have here than I am with signings.
“But if something extra comes up and we think it’s the right opportunity, let’s do it.”
Arsenal's dodgy back line has been a major problem this season - having conceded 30 goals in 21 games - more than Brighton and Crystal Palace.