Arsenal have made an approach for Barcelona’s Jeremy Mathieu, according to French outlet SFR Sport.
Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger is looking for reinforcements in central defence after Per Mertesacker was ruled out for up to four months with a knee injury, while Gabriel is set to miss the start of the season due to an ankle problem.
Mathieu joined Barca from Valencia in July 2014 for a reported €20m and has made 49 La Liga appearances for the Blaugrana.
However, boss Luis Enrique has brought in defenders Lucas Digne and Samuel Umtiti from Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon respectively this summer, which could signal the 32-year-old France international’s departure from the Camp Nou.
Arsenal are also in advanced talks with Valencia over German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and, although they are struggling to get the deal over the line, it should be done within the next 48 hours.
