Earlier this week Arsenal were linked with Mattia Perin after the player’s agent admitted the Gunners were interested in the Italian ‘keeper.

Matteo Roggi, the player’s agent, revealed that Barcelona and AC Milan are also keeping tabs on the 20 year old, while Juventus, Roma and Napoli are also rumoured to be monitoring the youngster’s progress.

Genoa will allegedly accept no less than €20million (£17.4million) for the ‘keeper, and Perin’s agent has already stated that he expects his client to return to I Rossoblu for the start of next season.

Speculation

However, the agent has now increased speculation that a move to the Gunners is imminent after telling the broadcaster that members of Arsene Wenger’s staff had been monitoring Perin up close throughout the season.

Speaking to Italian football site, calciomercato.it, reported by Sky Sports, he said: “We have not had direct contact with any club but I know that Arsenal sent their observers several times to follow him closely and that there are many other clubs interested.

“The certainty is that at the end of this season Mattia will return to Genoa, with whom he recently extended his contract until 2017. And I think that next year Perin will wear the Rossoblu shirt.”

The Italian has represented his country at every level, including making his debut for the senior side in August against England.