Arsenal 'scouting Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini'

Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to watch Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini ahead of a possible January move.

Gunners boss Unai Emery is understood to be keen to bring in defensive reinforcements in January, having been left short of options due to a string of injuries at centre-back so far this term.

Transfer Market Web reports that they have identified Mancini as a possible target and have watched him play for Atalanta on numerous occasions.

Scouts from Arsenal and Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund are understood to have been in attendance as the 22-year-old scored during Sunday's 4-1 home win over Inter Milan.

Mancini has now scored three times in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, with his form catching the eye and helping Atalanta climb up to eighth in the Serie A table.

Roma and Inter Milan are also thought to be amongst the interested parties for the towering central defender, who has won 10 caps for the Italy Under-21 team.