Report: Arsenal make contact over Brozovic deal

Arsenal have made the preliminary steps in a move to sign Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, per Tutto Mercato, (via the Daily Express).

Croatian midfielder Brozovic has 14 international caps and has been in excellent form for Roberto Mancini’s side this season.

Arsenal’s interest has reportedly been piqued by the midfielder, who joined Inter last January on a loan deal until the summer of 2017.

Brozovic, on loan from Dinamo Zagreb, has scored two goals this season for Inter, who are top of the Serie A table.

Arsenal are currently struggling with injuries in midfield, with Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin all out of Arsene Wenger’s squad.

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have both seen their best years behind them, so a move for the 23-year-old box-to-box midfielder could add energy and versatility to the club’s squad.

The Gunners are second in the Premier League, four points clear of Manchester City, after Wenger’s men defeated the North West side 2-1 on Monday. Strengthening their squad in January could be key to Arsenal maintaining their title challenge.

Negotiations for Brozovic are believed to be at an early stage, though the report suggests that Mancini would allow the player to leave.

Brozovic has featured in 12 league matches in 2015/16, though has only completed 90 minutes on four occasions.