Arsenal and Roma are interested in Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.

The Argentina international, who has been at Villarreal since 2009, endured an injury-stricken 2015/16 campaign where he managed just 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.




However, Arsenal have identified Musacchio as a possible summer transfer target to shore up their defence, with Bayern Munich centre-back Medhi Benatia also on their radar.

But Arsenal will not have a free run at Musacchio as Roma are also interested in snapping up the defender in the summer.
 


The 25-year-old, whose present contract with Villarreal runs until 2018, has thus far amassed 219 appearances for the Spanish outfit, netting seven times and providing nine assists.

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Musacchio joined Villarreal from River Plate in 2009, initially playing for the Yellow Submarine’s B-team in the second division.

He has two senior caps for Argentina to his name and has also represented the nation at Under-17 and Under-20 levels.