Arsenal have been monitoring Dinamo Zagreb’s Josip Sutalo with a view to strengthening their defence this summer.
The Gunners’ title challenge has faltered in the absence of William Saliba with Rob Holding having been found wanting in the international’s absence.
Holding appears destined to leave this summer and Mikel Arteta is keen to find a top quality replacement for the long-serving Englishman.
’s Marc Guehi is also under consideration but the Gunners are likely to face competition from for the former centre-half.
Sutalo, meanwhile, has caught the eye of a number of high-profile European clubs and was part of the Croatia squad that reached the semi finals at last year’s World Cup.
According to the , the 23-year-old would be available for around £18million, a price that would comfortably fit Arsenal’s budget which is set to be boosted following their qualification for the Champions League for the first time in seven years.
Arsenal did spend £20million on Jakub Kiwior in January but the Polish defender has had to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.
The former Spezia defender eventually made his full Premier League debut in midweek in place of Holding as Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea.
‘He looked ready, he looked fresh, he looked really determined,’ said Arteta when asked to assess Kiwior’s performacne.
‘He’s been getting better and better every single day, not only in training but his interaction and his language.
‘He’s more settled and he’s a player that I really like, that’s why I signed him.
‘He has the potential at his age to be great and he had a big task against the players he had to face today, and I think he didn’t really well.’
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