Arsenal scout Manchester City target Godfred Donsah

Arsenal have ramped up their interest in signing Cagliari defender Godfed Donsah after sending scouts to watch the Ghanaian during the recent Serie A defeat to Inter Milan.

The 18-year-old has made 15 league appearances this season and has impressed in a Cagliari defence that has conceded the second most goals of any team in the Italian top flight.

Donsah is being monitored by both Arsenal and Manchester City but the Gunners have made a significant step towards bringing the player to north London by making a personal scouting trip earlier in February.

"Manchester City are interested, but Arsenal scouts were at the game against Inter to watch him," Giulini told Sky Sports Italia.

"My intention is to keep him for at least one more year. Cagliari need to remain in Serie A so we can continue to help these young players grow. It would be beneficial for Donsah's development to remain at Cagliari for another season."

Arsenal completed the signing of Gabriel Paulista during the January transfer window amid their depleted defensive resources that has seen manager Arsene Wenger restricted to selecting from just six senior players.

The Gunners boss could yet add to those numbers come the summer transfer window and he may have been further tempted to take such action after the performance of Per Mertesacker during the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Monaco.

The Germany international produced an uneven performance at the Emirates Stadium that called into question his role at the heart of an Arsenal defence which is the joint-fifth best in the Premier League.