Arsenal 'sniffing around' Serie A 'rising star' who is already viewed as club 'idol' at 19

Arsenal are interested in signing Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode, according to reports.

The Gunners invested heavily in their squad over the summer, spending over £200 million on the likes of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and David Raya.

So far, Mikel Arteta's business looks to be paying off, with the north London side the only side other than Tottenham to remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season.

While they have the chance to leapfrog first-placed Manchester City with a win over Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday.

However, Arsenal are already looking ahead to the January transfer window and have identified 19-year-old Kayode as their next defensive target.

That’s according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who claim the player has ‘won over admirers’ for his performances in Serie A, with Arsenal named among them.

The report adds that the Emirates outfit sent scouts to watch Kayode play first hand, after impressing with his 'personality, athletic dominance and quality'.

He is also allegedly seen as an 'idol' by the Fiorentina fanbase, with the club not ‘scared’ of losing the player, whose contract is due to expire 2025.

Fiorentina chiefs are preparing to offer him a pay rise and contract extension at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, believing they can fend off interest from the Gunners.

Kayode has started Fiorentina’s last three matches in Serie A this term including their latest 3-0 win over Cagliari on Monday night.

It remains to be seen how much Arsenal would need to pay in order to stand a chance of signing the highly thought of youngster, but he is unlikely to come cheap.

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