Arsenal Transfer News: Manuel Locatelli Among 4 Gunners Targets, Latest Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to watch AC Milan youngster Manuel Locatelli and "tried to make contact with his agent" as they eye a potential move for the midfielder.

According to MilanNews.it (via Football Italia), Locatelli has already been promoted to the first-team squad at Milan despite being only 18 years old, and he has drawn interest from the Gunners.

However, the report added "the Rossoneri have no intention of selling" as they see their academy star as one of the key players in their future.

Locatelli has undoubtedly shown he has the potential to be a top-quality player—see below for some highlights:

Per Goal's Simone Gambino, the Italian youngster has previously been touted as "Milan's playmaker of the future" by honorary chairman Silvio Berlusconi.

Gambino also reported Milan have given Locatelli guarantees of first-team football—he has yet to make a Serie A appearance—something Arsenal cannot do.

Thus it seems unlikely the Gunners will be able to sign him just yet, but he could well remain on their radar in the future.

Arsenal are also reportedly eyeing Portuguese central midfield duo Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho, per A Bola (via Luke Gardener in the Daily Star). 

The report revealed the pair are both "high on [manager] Arsene Wenger's wishlist," with Gunners scout Luis Boa Morte having watched Porto's Pereira—who has a £29 million release clause—on Monday night. 

The interest in Pereira, 24, certainly seems genuine, as Boa Morte confirmed as much earlier in the season, per Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen:

Sporting Lisbon's Carvalho, 23, has been linked with Arsenal for some time, and his release clause is £35 million, per Gardener. 

Either would make a strong addition to Arsenal's squad, as they are currently lacking proper depth in the deep-lying midfield role.

Francis Coquelin is the first-choice defensive midfielder, and recent signing Mohamed Elneny has proved effective thus far, but for a club with domestic and European aspirations, Arsenal need further options in the engine room of their side.

Carvalho has long been touted as one of the top young midfield stars in the world, but Arsenal may have competition for his signature, as Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked, per L'Equipe (via French football writer Jonathan Johnson):

Elsewhere, Arsenal are "closing in" on the signing of AZ Alkmaar's 15-year-old forward Myron Boadu, per Sami Mokbel on MailOnline.

Reportedly one of the "brightest talents" in the Netherlands, Boadu is also being tracked by Ajax, but the Gunners are close to sealing a deal that would see him sign for them when he turns 16.