Arsenal are keeping tabs on Lazio attacking midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, according to reports in the Italian media.

The Nigerian, who has been capped five times by his country, has turned heads with his performances since moving to Italy at the start of this season.

Dele-Bashiru has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists despite being given limited game time by manager Marco Baroni.

In the league, the 24-year-old has only played 664 minutes, with most of his appearances coming from the bench.

Even so, Italian publication the Corriere Dello Sport (via Calciomercato.com) claim that Gunners scouts have taken note of Dele-Bashiru’s displays over the past six months.

Lazio don’t technically own Dele-Bashiru (at the moment)

The Nigerian international is actually on loan from Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor but he will become a Lazio player at the start of July due to an obligation to buy.

It means there would be no issue with Arsenal beginning negotiations with Dele-Bashiru’s current team before the end of the season.

What do Arsenal fans need to know about the player?

Dele-Bashiru was born in Nigeria but he came through Manchester City’s academy setup, spending several years with the Premier League side prior to joining Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2020.

The midfielder made his senior debut for the Owls in the Carabao Cup against Walsall and he went on to play 86 games across the next three seasons.

Dele-Bashiru’s time at Hillsborough came to an end in 2023 when he made the switch to Hatayspor on a free transfer.

His move to Turkey turned out to be the right decision. In his 39 appearances in all competitions, he scored 9 times and contributed 6 assists, attracting the interest of Lazio who snapped him up last year.

Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips as he talks about Arsenal’s striker dilemma and a potential move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.