Arsenal have their eyes on defensive reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners still have the best defence in the Premier League and perhaps even in Europe, but injuries are causing all sorts of problems.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are all currently injured, and that has left Mikel Arteta short of options at the back.
Arsenal have been linked with plenty of defenders as a result, and AC Milan starlet Davide Bartesaghi is the latest name to come out of the rumour mill.
Bartesaghi is one of the rising stars of Italian football.
The AC Milan youngster, who is still only 19 years of age, made his senior debut in the 2023/24 season and has since played 28 games for the club.
13 of those have come this season, all of which as a left midfielder, even though he is naturally a left-back.
Gazzetta dello Sport have credited Arsenal with an interest in the teenager and have revealed that Andrea Berta wanted him last summer as well.
Bartesaghi, who stands 1.95m (6ft 5in) tall, would become the tallest player at Arsenal if he were to join the club in January, beating Kai Havertz (1.93m) and William Saliba (1.92m).
However, the youngster signed a new contract at Milan in May this year, and that does not expire until the summer of 2030.
It remains to be seen whether the Rossoneri will even entertain a sale in 2026.
Most people here in England will not know who Bartesaghi is, but he is definitely a young player to keep an eye on.
The 19-year-old has impressed everyone with his performances for AC Milan, including legendary manager Fabio Capello.
The Italian said about Bartesaghi, as per Sempre Milan: “One player who has earned Allegri’s trust thanks to solid performances is Bartesaghi, who is now a regular on the left flank. He’s not Theo (Hernandez), okay, but he’s a homegrown asset who’s becoming increasingly valuable.
“He’s physically strong, courageous, and communicates confidently with his teammates.”
Berta has clearly spotted a big talent, but only time will tell if he can convince Milan to let go of their star teenager.
