Arsenal are interested in Udinese’s Nahuel Molina and they could look to use Pablo Mari as a makeweight in a potential deal.

UDINE, ITALY: Nahuel Molina of Udinese Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Dacia Arena on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY: Nahuel Molina of Udinese Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Dacia Arena on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Il Messaggero Veneto (via CalcioNews24.com) report that Arsenal have joined the race for Udinese right-back Nahuel Molina in recent days.

Arsenal join Juventus in the running for the defender, but the Gunners have an advantage through Pablo Mari.

Mari joined Udinese on loan in the January transfer window, and he’s helped them steer clear of any threat of relegation as they’ve moved up the table from 15th to 12th since his arrival.

The centre-back has started 11 games in that time, only missing one through suspension since his debut.

So, whilst Udinese are asking for €25-30m for Molina, they may consider dropping the price in return for Mari’s permanent arrival in Italy.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Nahuel Molina of Argentina fights for the ball with Miguel Navarro of Venezuela during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Argentina and Venezuela at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on March 25, 2022. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Nahuel Molina of Argentina fights for the ball with Miguel Navarro of Venezuela during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Argentina and Venezuela at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on March 25, 2022. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Mari has already confirmed he’d like to stay with Udinese, and reports suggest they want to keep him.

If Arsenal can get a player they’re interested in at a discount price while Mari gets the move he wants, that sounds like a win for everyone.

24-year-old Molina has made 32 appearances for Udinese this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. He’s generally played as a wing-back, rather than a full-back.