Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Jeison Murillo and More

Inter Milan centre-back Jeison Murillo has reportedly been added to the list of defenders Arsenal will target during the summer transfer window, joining the likes of Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Chelsea's Kurt Zouma.

That's according to Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Star's Rhys Turrell), who report manager Arsene Wenger wants to add another strong centre-back to his squad during the summer.

Per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), the Nerazzurri have to sell in order to comply with financial fair play restrictions, and Murillo and Marcelo Brozovic are the two players most likely to exit the San Siro.

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Murillo only joined the club from Granada last summer for €8 million (£6.1 million), but after an impressive debut campaign in Serie A, his value has gone through the roof. According to Tuttosport, he could move for a sum around £15 million.

The Colombia international formed a strong partnership with former Atletico Madrid star Miranda at the heart of Inter's defence, starting 32 Serie A contests, per WhoScored.com. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

The 24-year-old is tough as nails and displays remarkable athletic ability and passing range for a centre-back. He routinely contributes in the attacking third, and while he's not a huge threat on set pieces, his defensive prowess and smart movement off the ball make up for that.

Discipline proved an issue last season―he was sent off three times in Serie A, per WhoScored.com―but a lack of strong play from Inter's defensive midfielders contributed to those numbers.

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His ability to distribute the ball makes him a perfect fit for Wenger's Arsenal, and his strong physical skills would be a welcome sight at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal fans watched Per Mertesacker get beat for pace too often last season, and that's unlikely to happen much with Murillo.

What makes the Colombian such an appealing target is his apparent availability, however. The rumoured links with Zouma seem flimsy at best, as Chelsea are unlikely to sell the star youngster to a direct rival, and Koulibaly will likely cost the club a lot more than Murillo.

Per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), Napoli turned down an offer from Bayern Munich worth more than £30 million―twice what it will likely cost to bring Murillo to the Emirates Stadium.

Koulibaly was the revelation among Serie A defenders last year, and like Murillo, his ability in the passing game is a major bonus, per WhoScored.com:

Unlike Inter, Napoli have no need to sell―the Partenopei are ambitious, and if anything, they're more likely to spend during the summer and keep hold of their star performers. That certainly includes Koulibaly, who proved a huge weapon in the defensive-minded Serie A.

Here's a look at why the Senegal international is such a wanted man:

Between the two, Koulibaly is the stronger aerial presence, but Murillo doesn't lag behind too much in just about every other department. For half the price and with the club seemingly willing to cash in, it's a deal Wenger should try to complete before other teams try to hijack it.

Per Turrell, Premier League champions Leicester City have been linked with Murillo as well, while Tuttosport add Stoke City, Everton and Zenit St. Petersburg to the mix.

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