Arsenal target Serie A star as Sagna replacement

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to move for AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate, amid reports Bacaray Sagna could leave the club this summer.

Defensive frailties have exposed the Gunners for years, arguably since their undefeated 2004 Premier League campaign, where they won the league with ease. Nine years later, Wenger's men are still trophy-less and trying to remove themselves from this rut. And many Arsenal fans still believe that their defence is an area that still needs to be severely improved if they are to enjoy success again.

And a player that has been linked with a move to the Emirates of late is AC Milan full-back Ignazio Abate. He has only one year remaining on his current deal with the Serie A outfit, meaning that Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri could risk losing the 26-year-old on a free transfer at the end of next season.

But the Daily Star have reported that Abate is also willing to listen to any potential offers that are submitted by current team AC Milan. The defender, apart from three loan spells earlier in his career has spent his entire career with Milan, so a move away from the San Siro could be out of the question because of this.

But a third placed finish in Serie A last season was a disappointing result for the Rosonneri last season, and Abate is thought to be seriously considering his options for next season.

And it is current right-back Bacary Sagna that is thought to be in the firing line, should Abate make the move to the Emirates this summer.

The 30-year-old Frenchman is yet to sign a new deal this summer, amid reports a move to Turkey could be completed, with giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray thought to be interested in a move for Sagna.