Arsenal have approached Juventus over a potential summer deal to sign midfielder Mario Lemina, according to a reliable journalist.
Gazzetta dello Sport contributor Tancredi Palmeri claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday evening that the Premier League have stepped up their interest in the 23-year-old.
Arsenal have contacted Juventus for Lemina
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) June 16, 2017
Lemina sealed a permanent move to Juventus only a year ago, following a successful loan spell at the club, but he could be set to walk away from the Italian giants and head to the Premier League.
The six-time Gabon international struggled for regular first-team opportunities last season, making just 11 starts in all competitions due to the fierce competition for a midfield spot.
A central or defensive-midfielder, Lemina fell behind Claudio Marchisio, Miralem Pjanic and Sami Khedira in the pecking order for a starting role, but he could seek a fresh challenge this summer.
He is set to hold talks with Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri ahead of the new season, and is quoted by the Daily Star as saying: “We’re going to put everything on the table.
“We’re going to talk to each other. We’re going to see what they really want to do with me and what I want to do in terms of how much playing time I’ll get.”
It is claimed by Goal, meanwhile, that the Juventus midfielder could be available this summer for a fee of around £17million, although it is also understood that Everton are monitoring the situation.
Toffees director of football Steve Walsh was present in Italy this week for talks over a number of potential transfers, and he is believed to have met with Juventus officials to discuss the future of Lemina.
Yet although Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Juventus over a potential deal, no decision is likely to be made until after Lemina sits down the his current club to discus his role ahead of pre-season.