Roma have reportedly identified Arsenal's out-of-favour centre-back Shkodran Mustafi as their new No.1 defensive target after failing to agree a deal with Liverpool for Dejan Lovren.
The Italians had been keen to bring Lovren to Italy this summer after the Croatian fell down the pecking order at Anfield.
However, they were swaying towards a loan deal for the 30-year-old, but Liverpool wanted his exit to be permanent and were demanding a £26million fee.
That ultimately put Roma off and according to Forza Roma , they have now turned their attention to Mustafi.
The Germany international has endured a tough time at the Emirates and will seemingly find first-team opportunities hard to come by this season following the £8m summer arrival of David Luiz from Chelsea .
Forza Roma claims that the Gunners are willing to do business with their Italian counterparts, having attempted to offload Mustafi all summer.
It is believed that a season-long loan with the view to a £23m permanent deal is their preference.
Mustafi may well be open to the switch, with Luiz and Sokratis expected to be Unai Emery's first-choice centre-backs this season, while Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are also ahead of him in the pecking order.
Last season he made big errors against the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham ,leading a large number of Arsenal fans to turn against him, with the player being booed on occasions.
And it looks as though Emery has finally lost patience with the player, with reports he is actively seeking a new club for Mustafi.
Last month, however, his father and agent played down rumours linking the player with a move away from the club this summer.
Speaking to Romanews Kujtim said: "It's news to me. There's nothing in it. There has been no contact with Roma or any other Italian club."
