Arsenal are hoping to tempt Juventus into selling one of their better midfield players by offering a transfer-listed defender to the Serie A side in return, a report has claimed.

During the January transfer window, Arsenal added to their midfield by signing Jorginho from Chelsea. However, they still need to consider how to evolve the department for the long term. Most of their players there are either above the age of 30 or near it.

Hence, Arsenal are looking at potential reinforcements for the future. They were interested in Moises Caicedo from Brighton before his contract extension at the Amex Stadium, for example.

Another option on their radar, per recent reports, is Juventus star, Manuel Locatelli. There have been several reports about their interest – as well as suggestions of competition from Liverpool – since the closure of the January transfer window.

Locatelli is due to become a permanent Juventus player this summer after what has technically been a two-year loan spell from Sassuolo. He made 43 appearances in his first season in Turin and has 29 to his name so far this term.

The Italy international, who was a member of the squad that won Euro 2020, could earn a Premier League move in the future. Juventus could be able to cash in on him this summer, in theory.

Arsenal are therefore on alert, but will have to come up with a way to convince Juventus to sell. After all, Locatelli is under contract at the Allianz Stadium until 2026.

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According to Calciomercatoweb, Arsenal are now preparing a swap offer to sweeten a deal with Juventus. In exchange for Locatelli, they are willing to send away Kieran Tierney.

The Scotland international has lost his place as a regular starter to Oleksandr Zinchenko at the Emirates Stadium. Therefore, a recent report included Tierney in a list of players Arsenal could sell.

Juventus not convinced by Arsenal plan

Juventus might be a destination they try to push him towards, for what would be his first taste of Serie A action. In the process, he could follow in the footsteps of fellow Scottish players, like Verona’s Josh Doig, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson or Empoli’s Liam Henderson.

However, the plan might not persuade Juventus, even though they may be on the lookout for a new left-back themselves. If they were to let Locatelli go, they would rather secure a like-for-like replacement, per the report.

But for now, the Bianconeri still envisage a future where Locatelli is a key part of their team. It would take something serious to convince them otherwise.

At the age of 25, Locatelli is approaching what could be some of his best years. He seems happy enough to spend them at Juventus as things stand, although Arsenal are becoming an appealing destination again as they pursue the Premier League title.

If Locatelli is out of reach, they might have to consider some alternatives. But it will be interesting to see what happens after Juventus’ points deduction in Serie A, which has put their chances of qualifying for Europe at serious risk.

It might lead to some of their players considering their futures. However, it remains to be seen what Locatelli will be thinking. For now, Arsenal may keep monitoring him.

Yet they will have to be smarter in how they put together a package for his transfer.

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