Rumour: Arsenal trying to sign Sevilla defender Federico Fazio

Federico Fazio in action for Argentina the FIFA U-20 World Cup

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is making moves in the transfer market and has targeted Sevilla defender Federico Fazio as he prepares for Thomas Vermaelen’s exit, according to reports in Spain.

Apparently Wenger sees Fazio as a primary defensive target as he bids to strengthen his squad in a bid to prevent another late-season collapsen. For many years, Arsenal have suffered from a series of crippling injury crises and it cost them dearly last season as they fell out of the title race and into a scrap for fourth place.

After a good start defensively, Arsenal struggled in 2014 to stop the goals leaking with big defeats to Everton, Chelsea and Liverpool.

With the likely departure of Vermaelen, Wenger needs back-up for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker and thinks Fazio is the ideal target for his defence. Fazio had a brilliant season in Spain, winning the Europa League with Sevilla by beating Benfica on penalties in the final, while they just missed out on Champions League qualification in La Liga.

Sevilla would like to keep hold of their star defender but realise it will be incredibly difficult if a club like Arsenal, or any other Champions League club, come in for him.