ARSENAL could be prepared to sacrifice Hector Bellerin in order to beat Manchester United to the signing of Juventus defender Merih Demiral.
It is understood both Premier League sides are keen to land the Turkish youngster to bolster their defences in their attempts to return to the Champions League.
And according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Gunners could try and use Bellerin to help any potential deal in their favour.
Demiral, 21, spent time with Sporting’s B team before a year back in Turkey.
He then joined Sassuolo in January but signed for Juventus on a five-year contract in July for around £15million.
But so far this season he has played just once for the Old Lady, featuring for the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Hellas Verona on September 21.
Demiral has been stuck on the bench for the rest of the entire season as he struggles to break the pairing of Leonardo Bonucci and Matthijs de Ligt, even with captain Giorgio Chiellini out injured.
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Juventus see the Turkish international as a star for the future – presumably alongside De Ligt – but it is thought they would be willing to sell for around £34m while Demiral will no doubt want game time ahead of Euro 2020.
Their sporting director Fabio Paratici revealed Manchester United are among the clubs who have already tried to sign the centre-back.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “He is our player who has had the most deals on the market, I don’t imagine how many.
“The Turk was requested by Milan but was also approached by Manchester United.”
Arsenal are still looking to sort out their defence having kept just two Premier League clean sheets so far this team.
The reports suggest they would be willing to let Bellerin – who is valued at a similar price to Demiral – be part of a swap deal.
That is despite the fact that the right-back, 24, has been with the Gunners since 2011, just recovered from a long-term injury and was named one of the club’s vice-captains this season.
Bellerin’s agent previously admitted interest from an unnamed Serie A but insisted “it won’t be easy” to lure him away from the Emirates.
Albert Botines said: “At the moment he is focused on the team’s commitments, coming back from a bad injury and is returning to his levels.
“He likes Italy, the interest of an Italian club has been there but I can’t reveal it.
“He has a long contract and it won’t be easy to take him away from Arsenal. He is vice-captain, we will see how the season will go.”
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