Arsenal considering January move for Juventus ace

Arsenal are reportedly planning an approach for Juventus defender Medhi Benatia when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has stuck with Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi as regulars at the heart of the defence of late but the Spaniard is said to be concerned about the depth, having witnessed Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Konstantinos Mavropanos spend time on the sidelines.

According to Tuttomercato, the north Londoners are likely to move for a new central defender in the New Year and Benatia is said to be among the prime targets on their radar.

It is added that the Morocco international could fancy a winter departure from the Turin giants after playing second fiddle to the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci during the ongoing campaign.

Benatia has been touted for a Premier League move over the past three to four seasons and the Gunners have been among the clubs frequently linked with his signature,

The central defender, who is also on the radar of Italian side AC Milan, could be available for a fee of around £13m when the transfer window reopens.