Arsenal Aim To Beat Rivals To Italian Defender After Opening Talks With Torino

Despite the transfer window now being closed there will still be plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool are linked with Angelo Ogbonna.

Arsenal have contacted Serie A outfit Torino over the availability of reported Liverpool and Manchester United target Angelo Ogbonna, according to the Metro.

The report claims the Gunners have been scouting the Italian international defender for some time and boss Arsene Wenger is understood to have contacted his current club Torino over the possibility of signing the 24-year-old when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Ogbonna has become one of Serie A’s most highly-rated defender’s after putting in a string of impressive display’s at the heart of Torino’s defence over the past 18 months, while he was also a stand-out performer during Italy’s 2-1 defeat to England last August.

The Metro claim Liverpool and Manchester United have also shown an interest in Ogbonna but suggest that Arsenal’s early move has made them favourites to land the £17m rated centre-back in the summer.

The newspaper says the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina have been put off by his valuation but the Gunners are said to be confident they can strike a deal that will see them put down a reduced fee up-front but pay a number of add-ons based on appearances and performances.

Ogbonna admitted recently that he’d be tempted by a move abroad and revealed his ambition is to play in a Champions League final one day.

‘A move abroad? Why not? My dream is to play in a Champions League final,’ he’s quoted as saying in the Metro.

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While a move to Arsenal may be a tempting prospect for many players, if Ogbonna’s ambition is to play in a Champions League final any time soon the Gunners may struggled to lure him to the Emirates, especially if they miss out on a top-four spot this season.

Liverpool are also highly unlikely to be able to offer him Champions League football next season so Man Utd could see themselves in the driving seat if they decide to follow up their reported interest in the summer.

Would you like to see Ogbonna come to your club? Get involved in the comments section below.