Podolski(迷Ozil)
2021-07-08 20:44:13
Edu sent defiant Arsenal transfer message as Serie A president refutes exit rumours
Arsenal have been sent a defiant message over the future of reported transfer target Samuele Ricci.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Empoli youngster as Mikel Arteta eyes more midfield options heading into the 2021/22 season.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Italian is on Arsenal’s potential shopping list but the north Londoners face competition from Premier League rivals Leicester City.
Despite the Gunners having their eyes on the 19-year-old ahead of a potential switch, it seems highly unlikely that Ricci is set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium this summer - if comments from Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi are anything to go by.
Speaking to SportItalia, he said: “Ricci? We don’t sell our young players. They can give us a hand for our Scudetto, our stay in Serie A.”
Ricci, a four-time Italy U21 international, has developed an extremely promising reputation in Serie B with Empoli.
He made 28 league appearances in his first season in the Italian second tier before then playing a key role in the Tuscany-based outfit’s promotion to Serie A last season.
Ricci made 33 appearances, scoring two goals and providing four assists. He still has three years left to run on his contract with the club.
Should Arsenal pursue a move, it might not be the only business that the Gunners do with Italian clubs this summer.
football.london understands that Granit Xhaka is on the verge of a move to AS Roma, whilst Hector Bellerin also has admirers at Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Arsenal remain keen to add to their squad and Mikel Arteta is close to welcoming the likes of Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares to north London.