Arsenal have joined the race to sign Rodrigo Becao ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), who claim that Arsenal have now joined the likes of Everton and West Ham United in pursuit of the Udinese Calcio centre-back this winter.

However, the report goes on to suggest that the Serie A side are pushing for the 26-year-old to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Dacia Arena - with the Italian club believed to be fretting about the defender's current contract expiring in 2024.

And, it is claimed that Udinese are confident that the Brazilian will indeed sign a new deal with the club, something that would then guarantee them a sizeable transfer fee 'in case the right offer arrives' from one of the interested Premier League sides.

"Insurmountable"

Considering just how impressive Becao has been in Italy so far this season, it is not difficult to understand why Edu has now thrown Arsenal's hat into the ring for the centre-back's signing, as the 26-year-old would undoubtedly make an exceptional addition to Mikel Arteta's current options in the heart of his backline.

Indeed, over his nine Serie A appearances in the current campaign, the £8.7m-rated talent has been a rock at the back, helping his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 3.0 tackles - the joint seventh-most in the league - making 0.4 interceptions, 1.6 clearances and winning a whopping 6.6 duels - at a success rate of 63% - per game.

The £13k-per-week defender has also caught the eye in an attacking capacity, having scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance, in addition to making an average of 0.4 key passes, taking 0.6 shots and playing 2.4 long balls per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Bruno Quieroz dubbed "insurmountable" average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.10, currently ranking him as Andrea Sottil's third-best performer in the top flight of Italian football - playing a key role in Le Zebrette getting off to an excellent start to their 2022/23 Serie A campaign.

And, with reports from Italy suggesting that a bid of €13m (£11m) could be enough for Udinese to sanction the sale of the Brazilian in the January transfer window, considering just how impressive the centre-back has been this season, it is undeniable that Edu landing the 26-year-old for such a nominal fee would represent an absolute steal.

As such, it would appear highly advisable for the Gunners sporting director to indeed launch a €13m bid for Becao this winter, as the insurmountable no-nonsense stopper would undoubtedly make a sensational addition to Arteta's current central defence options - one which could well prove crucial in Arsenal's bid to go on and lift the Premier League trophy in May.