IN TALKS: Italian giants eyeing move for Arsenal out-of-favour defender

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi is allegedly attracting interest from Italian top-flight side Lazio, Citta Celeste reports.

The club’s recruitment team has included the 28-year-old centre-back’s named on a list of possible targets for the January transfer window.

The report adds that their director of football Igli Tare has contacted the Gunners about the central defender.

Mustafi, who earns £90,000 per week at the Emirates Stadium outfit, is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Football London stated last month that the German was hoping to seal a transfer away from North London during the current January transfer market.

He has had a stop-start season, making featuring nine times across all competitions, and an Arsenal exit in the immediate future looks likely.

With his deal expiring at the end of the term, Arsenal could at least make some money if the club decided to grant his exit this month.

Lazio, who are seventh in Italy’s first tier and still in the Champions League knockout rounds, are the possible suitors.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are allegedly keen on a loan deal for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard.

The 22-year-old star has been restricted to just nine appearances for the Galacticos during the 2020-21 season, while he has only played just once in the Spanish top-flight since the end of November.

A recent report stated that the Norway international is keen on a transfer away from the Spanish champions during the January market in order to seek more first-team minutes.

According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal have approached Zinedine Zidane’s side over the possibility of landing the player on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 term.