Sassuolo’s CEO has confirmed that he held talks with his Paris Saint-Germain counterpart over striker Gianluca Scamacca, who has also been on Arsenal’s wish list.
The Gunners are eager to add more firepower to their squad this summer and Mikel Arteta is believed to want two new forwards despite Eddie Nketiah agreeing to renew his contract.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is the club’s top target, though they had also been linked with a move for Sassuolo star Scamacca – who netted 16 goals in Serie A last season.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, they are not the only club interested in signing the Italy international with PSG also making a big play for the 23-year-old.
And it appears the French champions have the upper hand, with Sassuolo chief Giovanni Carnevali confirming that he has held talks about Scamacca with PSG’s football advisor Luis Campos.
‘Luis Campos is a friend, we also met at the Champions League final,’ he told Sky Sports Italia.
‘We spoke about a number of players, but certainly Scamacca was the topic of the conversation. I think he is an interesting player for many clubs.’
PSG are believed to have made an opening offer of around £30million plus bonuses for Scamacca, though Sassuolo are holding out for a fee of around £43m.
Their hopes of landing a club-record fee have been boosted by how many clubs around Europe are interested in signing the frontman.
In better news for Arsenal, they are now frontrunners to land Jesus from Manchester City and could announce a deal for Porto’s Fabio Vieira on Friday.
The Gunners’ interest in the 22-year-old Portuguese playmaker only emerged on Thursday afternoon, but he is believed to have landed in London already to undergo a medical and sign his contract ahead of a £34m move.
Arsenal are also expected to meet City’s £50m valuation for Jesus, who is Arteta’s top target this summer – with his signing softening the blow of missing out on Scamacca.
The Brazilian’s agent is currently in London and talks are expected to progress quickly in the coming days, with Jesus open to moving to the Emirates even though there is no Champions League football on offer.
MORE : Arsenal closing in on deal to sign Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus
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