Arsenal are planning an opening bid for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with sporting director Andrea Berta believed to be a huge admirer of the Brazil star.
Arsenal eyeing new midfielder with Zubimendi facing criticism
At the end of April, Martin Zubimendi was criticised for his performances by Gary Neville, with the Sky Sports pundit saying: "I thought at the start of the season that Zubimendi was a great signing. He's been a good player for Arsenal, but right now I was expecting that this would be where Zubimendi would be the player.
"You think of what (Andrea) Pirlo is, or (Paul) Scholes or Rodri, Bernardo Silva - the player who can dictate play in a game like this, get Arsenal on the ball, organise and get them with authority and he's not demonstrating that. He's struggling in the games and he has done for a few weeks now."
It appears as though Mikel Arteta agrees with Neville's assessment, as the Spanish midfielder was dropped in the 3-0 win against Fulham and for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was brought into the starting XI, and the teenager has received plaudits for his recent displays, but the Gunners remain keen on strengthening their options in the middle of the park at the end of the season.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Berta is a huge fan of Atalanta star Ederson, who has a price tag of around £43m, and Arsenal are now planning an opening bid for the three-cap Brazil international.
The north Londoners are 'assessing the financial package required to tempt Atalanta' into parting ways with the 26-year-old, with Premier League rivals Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester City also in the race.
Atalanta midfielder Ederson
The Gunners are seriously keen on signing a new midfielder in the upcoming window, but before then, they will be hoping to complete an historic double.
Arsenal three games away from Premier League glory
Indeed, Arsenal hold all the cards in the Premier League title race, as if they win their final three games, against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace, they will be crowned champions.
There is also the matter of the Champions League final, with Arteta's side set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30th.
Wayne Rooney accused the Gunners of over-celebrating reaching the final, but Arteta has since hit back, claiming he remains fully focused on the task at hand.
“I was in a very high emotional state after the game because we knew what it meant to everybody – our supporters, players and the staff.
“But you have to believe me, my concentration, my focus and my energy was then on West Ham and we made that very clear.
“We have to stay present, live in the moment and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we’ve shown all season and more. We are closer and closer, and everything that we do now is going to matter as to whether we win it or not.”
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Despite the recent form of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal are now on talks to sign an "exciting" midfielder.