Arsenal may look to add another defender to their squad for next season, and a surprise name has now emerged as a target.
There have been links with Jorrel Hato of Ajax and Ferdi Kadioglu of Fenerbahce, with Mikel Arteta seemingly keen on strengthening his options at left-back.
He does have several options in the position, but Oleksandr Zinchenko delivered a fairly underwhelming campaign, Jurrien Timber missed almost the entire season with injury, and there are question marks over Jakub Kiwior’s ability to fill in, when Takehiro Tomiyasu is unavailable.
This has now led to links with Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso, but Arsenal will face competition for his signature.
Arsenal are eyeing up move for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso
A report from Italian outlet TuttoJuve has now revealed that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in a move for left-back Cambiaso.
The 24-year-old is under contract until 2027, and Arsenal are following him closely. However, they do face a problem, in that Juventus have no intention of letting him leave.
Cambiaso has made 39 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring three times and assisting six, and recently assisted the only goal of the game as Juventus won the Italian Cup against Atalanta.
What would Andrea Cambiaso bring to Arsenal?
One crucial factor which makes Cambiaso of interest to Arsenal is the fact he is capable of playing on both sides at full-back.
Although traditionally a wing-back in a system which employs three centre-backs, the Italian can play on both the left and right, with 25 appearances on the right, and 13 on the left this season.
He is strong on both feet, like Tomiyasu, but is a more attacking option, which could allow him to play an inverted role on either side of defence.
One of his former coaches and AC Milan legend Mauro Tassotti once compared Cambiaso to defensive legend Paolo Maldini, because of his ability to play on both sides.
“I was immediately struck by Andrea’s ability to play both left and right. And above all his ability to kick with both feet,” Tassotti stated in December 2023 via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“I haven’t yet understood whether he is right or left-footed. In this sense, he is similar to Paolo Maldini who however was much more powerful from a physical standpoint, had incredible charisma and was also very strong defensively, so much so that he ended his career as a centre-back.”
Cambiaso’s potential arrival could spell an exit for Zinchenko, who has just two years left on his deal, but despite Arsenal’s interest, a deal still looks some way off.