Arsenal have supposedly made an approach to sign Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram, who has been likened to Jude Bellingham and Steven Gerrard.
The Gunners are set for a reshuffle in the number six position during the summer transfer window, as both Thomas Partey and Jorginho are due to depart when their contracts expire in June.
Jorginho is understood to have already given the green light to a move to Flamengo at the end of the campaign, while Arsenal seemingly have no intention of tying Partey down to fresh terms.
In preparation for both players' departures, Arsenal are expected to win the race to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi in a £51m deal, but Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich will not be arriving alongside him.
The Gunners were said to have been exploring an approach for the Germany international when it seemed as if he would run down his Bayern deal, but he wound up extending his stay with the Bundesliga leaders.
Arsenal 'one of three teams' to make Thuram approach
© Imago
Instead, TuttoJuve claims that Juventus and France lynchpin Thuram has caught the eye of Gunners chiefs, and Arsenal are one of three Premier League teams who have 'tried to approach' their Italian counterparts over a deal.
Manchester United and Newcastle United are also said to have expressed their interest in the 24-year-old, who is the brother of Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram and the son of France legend Lilian Thuram.
Khephren Thuram earned plaudits for his performances at Nice before joining Juventus for £17.5m last summer, since when he has come up with four goals and four assists in 40 games for the Old Lady.
The one-cap France international was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool to become Fabinho's successor in 2023, a move that ex-Arsenal and Reds man Jermaine Pennant gave the green light with incredibly high praise.
"I think he would be perfect, he's skilful and he can tackle too. He's like a young [Steven] Gerrard, basically," Pennant told The Express, as quoted by TEAMtalk.
Ex-Arsenal man hails Thuram as 'Bellingham-type' player
© Imago
"He's a Jude Bellingham type player and he'd be your Fabinho replacement and he could play with Alexis Mac Allister. He could cover the whole of midfield like a better [Jordan] Henderson."
However, Juventus have the France international under contract for another four-and-a-bit years, and the report adds that the Bianconeri currently have no desire to let him leave anytime soon.
It is unclear whether Arsenal have made any official offers for Khephren Thuram, but Juventus have apparently slapped a not-for-sale sign on the midfielder's head and intend to block any offers.
The Gunners are also expected to move for a new striker and left-winger this summer, as well as a new goalkeeper, having only signed Neto on loan from Bournemouth to temporarily replace Aaron Ramsdale.
Ben Knapton
