Arsenal keen on Ricardo Montolivo

Arsenal are pondering January bid for Fiorentina midfielder Ricardo Montolivo, according to The Mirror.

Arsene Wenger has asked his scouting team to keep an eye on the Italy international and they were present as the 26-year-old starred in Italy’s win over Slovenia.

The attacking midfielder has one year left on his contract at Fiorentina and was widely tipped to leave the club in the summer transfer window, but Viola somehow managed to keep hold of him.

With the player unlikely to sign a new deal at Artemio Franchi, he will be available at a cut-back price in January and that is something Arsenal are looking to take advantage of.

The Gunners need at least one more player to reinforce their engine room following the departures of Samir Nasri and Sesc Fabregas, and they see the Italy international as a potentially great addition to the squad.