Arsenal Rekindle Interest in Signing January Transfer Target and Basel Star Fabian Schar

Arsenal have rekindled their interest in signing FC Basel defender Fabian Schar in this summer transfer window, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The 22-year-old has long been a transfer target for the Gunners in January. Last December, the centre-back's agent Dimitrios Papadopoulos had revealed that the north London had made contact in signing his client.

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen's future at the Emirates remains uncertain and the Belgium international could leave Arsene Wenger's side. He has one year left on his contract and is attracting interest from Manchester United, while Barcelona are also in the race for his services.

The Gunners manager has already confirmed the Emirates club will move quickly into the market in finding a replacement, if Vermaelen decides to leave Arsenal.

"It could happen, yes it's a possibility that he goes, if he goes we have to replace him because he's an important player in our squad," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

Should Vermaelen leave Arsenal, Wenger could make an approach for Schar to replace the Gunners skipper. The Premier League club's chance of signing the Swiss international has been encouraged after Basel signed Walter Samuel this summer.

The Gunners are likely to face competition from Lazio in signing the central defender. In addition to this, another report from Tutto Mercato Web claims Borussia Monchengladbach, Atletico Madrid and Valencia are also interested in landing the defender.

The centre-back has one year left on his contract with the Swiss club and has not signed a new deal to extend his stay with his current employers beyond the end of the next season. Basel could cash in on the player this summer rather than let him leave for nothing a year later.

Schar is valued to be around €6.5m and a bid from potential suitors could see them land the Swiss defender.