Arsenal director of football Raul Sanllehi has reportedly opened talks with Barcelona chief Eric Abidal over a summer deal for Samuel Umtiti.
The France international has been tipped to depart Camp Nou at the end of the season after being restricted to just eight league starts in an injury-plagued campaign.
Umtiti was sidelined for close to five months earlier in the season and has supposedly been deemed surplus to requirements, with Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt being targeted as a replacement.
Manchester United have been the side most associated with showing an interest in the 25-year-old, but Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Arsenal are already in discussions with Barca.
Umtiti is said to have been identified as the perfect candidate to strengthen the Gunners' still-fragile backline, though he only signed a five-year deal last summer - amid strong links to United - and Arsenal will have to spend big to sign him.
Daniel Lewis
