Chelsea could hand Arsenal a huge blow to Mikel Arteta's midfield rebuild ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo this season, though Thomas Tuchel's side look set to swoop in and hijack a deal.
The 25-year-old was linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium throughout the January window, with Edu eager to bolster Arteta's midfield options. He was seen as a priority target for the north London outfit, but a move failed to materialise; the Italian giants preferred an 18-month loan, while Arsenal wanted just a six-month deal.
However, with the summer window around the corner and just a year remaining on the Brazilian's contract in Turin, reports have emerged linking Arthur with a move away from the Old Lady, again. Ready to swoop in, Calciomercato have reported that Chelsea are willing to offer Timo Werner as a make-weight to lure the midfielder away from the Emirates.
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The report claims that both the Blues and Juventus are interested by the prospect of a swap deal, with a concrete offer expected to be tabled 'soon'. Chelsea are seemingly keen to bolster their midfield this summer amid the uncertain futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, who are both set to leave Stamford Bridge next summer once their contracts expire.
Should Werner, who is reportedly valued at £34million by Chelsea, make way for Arthur, then the Brazil international would be one of the first signings of Tuchel's rebuild. The Blues boss is eager to bolster his squad ahead of next season with so many departures on the cards.
Speaking to football.london, Tuchel said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge. I don't know where we are from day one.
"What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
