Mikel Arteta stance on Arsenal ‘£20m’ transfer target comes to light

Arsenal are reported to be one of the teams closely following Torino defensive star Gleison Bremer.

The 25-year-old Brazilian centre-back is expected to be one of the top defenders on the move this summer, and Mikel Arteta is said to be a fan, according to reports.

Leicester City and north London rivals Spurs are also reportedly tracking the player, although Inter Milan are the favourites to capture the player's signature, with the Nerazzurri possibly looking to replace Stefan De Vrij this summer, say reports in Italy.

Bremer has shown real class in Serie A this campaign. He has played 30 of 32 games for the Turin-based outfit who sit 11th in the Serie A table, but has helped his team concede just 31 goals. Only the top four teams have conceded fewer.

The former Atletico Mineiro defender has not yet been capped for his country, and a move to a bigger club will only enhance his prospects, with World Cup 2022 on the horizon.

Bremer surprisingly signed a new contract in February, through until 2024, but it is believed that that was only to retain his value in the transfer market and that the player will be allowed to leave for around £20m, according to local reports. He is represented by the CAA Base agency who manage many of the top players in the Premier League, perhaps facilitating a move to the UK.

Drawing comparisons with former Brazil defender Lucio, the centre-back joined Torino in 2018, making 107 appearances to date.

Arsenal have improved defensively this season but if the Gunners could snatch Bremer - and what happens in the race for fourth place in the league could be crucial to that - then they may be able to challenge for honours next year.

The Gunners are also said to be targeting more homegrown players in the next window.