Deal Close: Jeison Murillo to sign for For Arsenal FC

Inter Milan centre-back Jeison Murillo has reportedly joined the list of defenders the Gunners will target during the summer transfer window, joining the likes of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Chelsea’s defender Kurt Zouma.

Though, that’s according to Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Star’s Rhys Turrell), who has per his report said manager, Arsene Wenger wants to enhance another strong centre-back to his squad during the summer transfer window.

Per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), in order for the Nerazzurri to comply with financial fair play restrictions, they will have to sell and Murillo and Marcelo Brozovic are the two lone players most likely to exit San Siro.

Murillo only joined Inter Milan from Granada last summer, but after an impressive debut campaign in Serie A; his value has sharply increased. According to Tuttosport, the Colombian could move for a sum around £15 million.

Per WhoScored.com, the Colombia international formed a strong partnership with former Atletico Madrid star Miranda at the heart of Inter's defence, starting 32 Serie A contests. Here is a look at some of his highlights:

The 24-year-old Colombian international is tough as nails and displays remarkable athletic ability and passing range for a centre-back.

Additionally, Murillo routinely contributes in the attacking third, and while he's not a huge threat on set pieces, his defensive prowess and smart movement off the ball make up for that.

Discipline has proved an issue last season for the Colombian as he was sent off three times in Serie A, per ratings from WhoScored.com nevertheless a lack of strong play from Inter's defensive midfielders contributed to those numbers.

His ability to distribute the ball makes him a perfect apt for Wenger’s at Arsenal, and his strong physical skills would be a welcome sight at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners fans watched Per Mertesacker get beat for pace too often last season, and such is unlikely to happen much with Murillo.

What makes the Colombian such an interesting target is his apparent availability, however, the rumoured links of Arsenal with Zouma appears insubstantial at best, as Chelsea are unlikely to sell the youngster to a direct rival, and signing Koulibaly will likely cost the club a lot more than Murillo.

Napoli turned down an offer from Bayern Munich worth more than £30 million – twice what to be expected cost to bring Murillo to the Emirates Stadium as per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).

Koulibaly was the revelation among Serie A defenders last year, and like Murillo, his ability in the passing game is a major bonus, per WhoScored.com:

Kalidou Koulibaly: Played more forward passes (1268) than any other player in Serie A this season pic.twitter.com/EqDIxdCWEp

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 22, 2016

Unlike Inter, there are no needs for Napoli to sell – the Partenopei are ambitious, and no matter what, Napoli is likely to spend during the summer and keep hold of their star performers. That surely includes Koulibaly, who has shown a huge big stick in the defensive-minded Serie A.

A look at why the 24-year-old Senegalese is such a wanted man:

Concerning my view between the two, Koulibaly is undeniably the stronger aerial presence, but Murillo doesn't breakdown behind too much in just about every other department.

In lieu of half the price and with the club on the face of it willing to cash in, Koulibaly’s deal appears what Wenger should try to complete before other teams try to take-over it.

Per Turrel, Premier League champions Leicester City have links with Murillo as well, while Tuttosport add Stoke City, Everton, and Zenit St. Petersburg to the mix.