According to the Mirror (via Sky Italia), Arsenal are interested in Inter Milan Colombian central defender, Jeison Murillo.
The Mirror believes discussions have already taken place between the two clubs and that Arsenal hope to conclude a £15 million deal for the player in the next two weeks.
The 24-year old defender enjoyed a successful debut season in Serie A with Inter this past season. The Italian club signed Murillo for €10 million, including add-ons, in 2015 from Spanish side Granada.
Murillo has made 22 appearances for his nation. He was one of three players to miss a penalty in Colombia’s quarterfinal shoot-out loss to Argentina in the 2015 Copa America. He was subsequently named the tournament’s “Best Young Player.” Murillo was also involved in the 2016 Copa America, starting in all five of Colombia’s matches.
Arsene Wenger is in the market for an additional center back this summer. Per Mertesacker regressed slightly this past year, Gabriel hasn’t developed as quickly as hoped, and Calum Chambers is still inexperienced at the position.
At the moment, Laurent Koscielny is the club’s most reliable center back and he’ll miss the first few weeks of the season due to his involvement in France’s Euro 2016 campaign, which ended on Sunday with a difficult loss to Portugal in the finals. This is an area of the squad that could use additional numbers.
Murillo would provide the Gunners with a young center back who has international pedigree. He could contribute in the Premier League immediately and is young enough to continue developing and improving.
Additionally, £15 million would prove to be a bargain at a position where many of Europe’s top clubs are paying upwards of £25 million for young, talented central defenders.
Murillo could be a steal for Arsenal.
