Juventus are looking to hijack Arsenal’s move for 21-year-old Lorenzo Pellegrini, according to reports in Italy.
Corriere della Sera claim the Italian champions are making moves for the AS Roma man, and are happy to pay his full £26m release clause. This is significant, because previous reports suggested Arsenal were trying to negotiate a deal to pay less than the clause.
If Juventus are happy to pay £26m, the Gunners may have to up their bid as well. On the other hand, Roma might still be more keen to sell to Arsenal. At least that way Pellegrini leaves their league.
As for Roma themselves, they’re apparently trying to negotiate a new contract with the player. He already has a deal lasting until 2022, but they’re hoping to agree a new one with a higher release clause.
Calciomercato recently reported that there’s still a chance the midfielder remains in Rome. If he does leave though, Arsenal are apparently the club he likes ‘above all’ others.
Pellegrini has been a regular in his side’s Serie A campaign in 2017/18. He made 28 league appearances, scoring three and assisting four from a defensive midfield position.
We’ll see if Arsenal can get the deal done before it’s too late.