Arsenal are ‘very interested’ in landing the signature of Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi during the summer transfer window, according to Tutto Atalanta.
The Gunners ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title this season, and they will be aiming to defend their English crown with a reinforced first-team squad.
A left winger and creative central midfielder are among the priorities, but TuttoAtalanta report that Arsenal are eager to recruit goalkeeper Carnesecchi from Atalanta.
Carnesecchi is presently represented by Alessandro Lucci, who is also Riccardo Calafiori’s agent. This should benefit the Gunners if a transfer agreement is formally sorted.
Atalanta want at least £35 million for the 25-year-old and won’t provide a discount. The Italian is contracted until 2028, and the club have proposed a new deal until 2030.
Arsenal unlikely to make a huge outlay on a goalkeeper
The Gunners have one of the best goalkeepers in world football in David Raya. The Spaniard showed his class with another standout showing during the Champions League final.
He is expected to continue as the first-choice in the Premier League and Champions League matches next term, and the backup shot-stopper may only get minutes in the Cup games.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had a relatively good season in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The only downside was his blunder, which cost the opening goal of the League Cup final against Manchester City.
Carnesecchi would be an upgrade on Arrizabalaga due to his strong reflexes. He made 115 saves for Atalanta during the Serie A campaign with an impressive success rate of 77 percent.
He has also caught the eye with his relatively good long-ball distribution, but the big question is whether Arsenal would be willing to spend £35m of the summer budget for a backup keeper.
In our view, that appears unlikely. Carnesecchi may also be reluctant to make the switch without regular playing time. He has been Atalanta’s regular choice in goal in Serie A and Europe.
In our view, Carnesecchi is more likely to sign a new deal at Atalanta or join a fellow Serie A rival. Inter Milan are eyeing a new goalkeeper and could make an approach for the Italian ace.
Stats from Sofascore.com