Arsenal in talks to sign £35m midfielder after Tottenham’s rejected bid

Arsenal have held talks over a deal for Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports in Italy.

The Premier League leaders are still in the market to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s squad after losing out to Chelsea in the race to sign Mykhailo Mudryk last weekend.

Arsenal are in discussions to sign Leandro Trossard this month but Brighton are demanding a £30 million fee for the 28-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

It’s understood that the Gunners have already agreed a contract with Trossard, who has fallen out with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and is pushing to leave the club in the January transfer window.

But according to La Repubblica, Arsenal have also held initial talks over a potential deal for Roma’s versatile midfielder Zaniolo.

The report claims that the Serie A club are open to selling the 23-year-old this month but are demanding a £35m transfer fee.

However, the Gunners face strong competition from their Premier League rivals as Sky Italy report that Tottenham have already had an offer rejected for the Italy international.

Roma would also be open to allowing Zaniolo to leave on loan if an obligation to buy was included as part of the agreement.

Zaniolo has struggled for form this season and was even booed by Roma fans as he left the pitch during the 1-0 win over Genoa last week.

The midfielder subsequently missed the 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday through illness but it’s claimed that he now wants to leave the club.

The 23-year-old had been in talks with Roma over a contract extension, with his current deal due to expire next year, but discussions have slowed over the past few months and the Serie A club are now open to cashing in.

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