Report: Juventus' Lichsteiner nearing Arsenal move

Arsenal is reportedly set to offer Hector Bellerin some much-needed relief at right-back.

The north London lot are in talks with veteran defender Stephan Lichsteiner, with the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reporting the Swiss international captain is set to become the first signing of Unai Emery's tenure on a free transfer. BBC Sport's David Ornstein has also confirmed the report.

One of a handful of Juventus first-team regulars to win seven Scudettos on the spin, Lichsteiner's Serie A exit is hardly a secret after the 34-year admitted his next challenge would take him away from the Italian top flight. "But my future is going to be away from Turin. At the end of the season, I’m leaving. I’ll play abroad next year but I’ve not signed anything yet," he said earlier in May.

For the Gunners, Lichsteiner's addition would add depth at right-back, a necessity after Bellerin appeared in 46 matches in all competitions this season with only lead-footed Calum Chambers available to deputise.