Arsenal have been shaky at the back of late and Arsene Wenger is fully aware that an upgrade is needed in the January transfer market.
The Gunners have reportedly taken steps to address their weakness by bidding £35m for Juventus star Mehdi Benatia, report Sky Sport Italia.
The Moroccan star has forced his way into Massimiliano Allegri's first team plans after the Old Lady sold Leonardo Bonucci to Milan.
The plan for youngster Daniele Rugani to step into the line-up has not materialised as planned with Benatia currently keeping the 23-year-old out.
Should a big-money offer for Benatia come in, it may present an opportunity for Juve to bring Rugani back in, as well as secure an unlikely profit on the 30-year-old.
Transfer news and gossip from Wednesday's Mirror
Southampton resigned to losing Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, Chelsea or Man City in January - but want £70 million
Yaya Toure to come out of international retirement after becoming frustrated by lack of action at Manchester City
Antonio Conte fuels rumours of Chelsea move for Arturo Vidal by claiming he would "go to war" with the Chilean
Sam Allardyce claims Olivier Giroud won't leave Arsenal for Everton because of his wife
Marouane Fellaini opens up on Manchester United future - and remains uncertain about inking new Old Trafford deal
Jose Mourinho insists his £300million spending spree at Manchester United is 'not enough' to compete with rivals City
Ex-Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue offered legal advice to help overturn court ruling that is set to leave him homeless
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers warns Premier League it will take an "astronomical" bid to sign Moussa Dembele
More gossip from other papers and sites
Arturo Vidal is a target for Antonio Conte who wants to join up with the Bayern star again at Chelsea after a successful time with Juventus (La Cuarta)
Kylian Mbappe has admitted he held talks with Real Madrid before plumping for PSG (Marca)