Arsenal make €16m offer to sign Torino full-back Bruno Peres

Arsenal have made an approach for Torino full-back Bruno Peres with Arsene Wenger looking to bring in a backup for Hector Bellerin at right-back as Mathieu Debuchy's future at the club remains uncertain. The French manager has already signed Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers but is keen to bring in another defender before the close of the summer transfer window.

According to Italian publication Toro News, the north London club have made an initial offer of €16m (£13.5m, $17.8m) to bring the defender to the Emirates Stadium, but the Serie A club are looking for a fee closer to €20m. Apart from the Gunners, Manchester City, PSG and Barcelona have registered their interest but are yet to make a formal offer.

Wenger is keen to further add to his back line this summer, but central defence is likely to be the Frenchman's priority after Per Mertesacker was ruled out until 2017. Debuchy's departure however, is likely to force the manager into buying an experienced right-back to provide backup to Bellerin despite the presence of Holding, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson. The trio can play on the right side of defence, but are inexperienced and not regulars with the first-team. Moreover, the latter of the three is yet to return to training after sustaining a knee injury midway through last season.

The French international, who was first-choice, fell out of favour following the emergence of the Spaniard midway through the 2014/15 campaign. He made just two appearances in the Premier League in the first-half of last season before he forced a loan move to Bordeaux for the rest of the campaign. He is back with Arsenal at the moment and took part in their pre-season games during the recently concluded US Tour, but the Ligue 1 club are interested in taking the defender back to his homeland either on loan or on a permanent deal.

Perez will be an ideal replacement owing to his attacking style of play and will provide cover for Bellerin, who is Wenger's first-choice at the moment. The 26-year-old Brazilian made 31 appearances in the Serie A last season, and was deployed both at right-back and right midfield which saw him score three goals and provide seven assists.