EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal target move for Milan defender Fikayo Tomori

Steve Kay

• Updated: 5 Jan 2024 10:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing AC Milan and England centre-back Fikayo Tomori, FootballTransfers can confirm.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has earmarked the former Chelsea defender as a possible signing as he looks to upgrade his backline in 2024.

Tomori, 26, has been one of Milan’s standout performances since he joined the club on a permanent deal in 2021 and he played a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-final last season.

We have been told that Arsenal are monitoring his situation in Italy, although interest remains in the early stages.

The Englishman has also reportedly garnered attention from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as Thomas Tuchel eyes up a pursuit of the Cobham academy graduate. However, Milan are reluctant to sell Tomori due to his importance at San Siro.

Fikayo Tomori to join Arsenal?

One advantage that Arteta’s side have over Bayern is the fact Tomori’s family are Arsenal fans and his favourite player growing up was France legend Thierry Henry.

He revealed his admiration for the former Gunners striker during an interview with OneFootball in 2023.

“Thierry Henry was my idol when I was playing for my Sunday league team,” Tomori admitted. “I always used to have gloves on, and pull my socks over my knees.

“If he scored a goal on Saturday, I would make sure to repeat the celebration if I scored on Sunday.

“There was one time when he curled it in the corner and just jogged away casually. So, I remember when I scored a goal, I did the exact same thing,” he concluded.

Arsenal’s interest in Tomori comes following exit links regarding Polish defender Jakub Kiwior. The former Spezia man has not featured particularly regularly since his move from Serie A and he has been touted for a return to Italy for several months.

Tomori’s current contract at Milan runs until 2027, meaning the Italian giants are in no rush to sell him. He has made 22 appearances for the Rossoneri this season, although he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.