INTER MILAN want to sign Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, according to reports.
The Japan international, 24, only made six Premier League starts last season due to Ben White's impressive performances at right-back and knee surgery.
And Serie A giants Inter hope to capitalise on that lack of game time at the Emirates by offering the versatile Tomiyasu a loan move.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, the Champions League finalists want the Arsenal man to bolster their defence.
Inter have lost a number of defenders this summer, with Milan Skriniar's exit to Paris Saint-Germain the most notable departure.
Tomiyasu has experience in Serie A, shining for Bologna for two seasons before completing his £19.5million switch to Arsenal in 2021.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
I’m an England ace who spent 9 years at Arsenal… now I’m unemployed at 25
Win a Lamborghini Aventador + £10k or £145,000 from just 89p with our discount code
And that is seen as a major bonus for Inter as they undergo a major reshuffle.
However, it is understood the Gunners would only sanction a Tomiyasu departure on a permanent deal – and not on loan.
The £200m spent on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber means Emirates chiefs are keen to recoup some of that massive expenditure.
As well as Tomiyasu, Timber and White, Mikel Arteta also has William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nuno Tavares in defence.
Most read in Football
Bayern 'to make HUGE Kane bid', Chelsea 'eye Mbappe', Liverpool in for Lavia
NFL legend Tom Brady becomes joint owner of English football team
Greenwood LATEST, Hojlund DELAY, Goretzka 'LINKED', takeover updates
Premier League star, 33, denies speeding & failing to provide info to cops
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Tomiyasu started at right-back for the Emirates Cup win over Monaco on Wednesday with Saliba, Kiwior and Timber completing the back four.
Arsenal are still hoping to make more additions to their squad before the end of the transfer window.
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya has reportedly agreed personal terms – but the Bees are holding out for £40m.
The Gunners also remain keen on Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom but face a battle with Liverpool for the £50m-rated Denmark star.
And there still could be more outgoings with Nicolas Pepe offered an escape route to Besiktas, Albert Sambi Lokonga linked with Burnley and Matt Turner a target for Nottingham Forest.
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours from the Emirates
DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
Source: Read Full Article