Norwich City have been touted with moves for Arsenal's Spanish centre back Ignasi Miquel and Lazio's Michael Ciani to bolster their backline following Ryan Bennett's ankle surgery.

City boss Neil Adams made it clear the club would have to look at reinforcing their defence over the closing days of the transfer window with Russell Martin, Michael Turner and new signing Carlos Cuellar the only fit senior centre backs in favour.

Sebastien Bassong has not been involved with the first team in the opening weeks of the new season, with Kyle McFadden making his competitive first team debut alongside Cuellar in the 3-1 midweek Capital One Cup win over Crawley Town.

Miquel is a 21-year-old centre back who is approaching the final year of his current deal at the Emirates. The Spanish youth international has made 11 appearances for the Gunners since making his Premier League debut in 2011 including experience in the Champions League and Capital One Cup but his last first team outing for Arsene Wenger's squad came in a 1-0 Premier League win at Sunderland in February 2013.

Miquel would appear to be well down the pecking order at the Emirates with Arsenal bringing in the likes of Southampton's teenage talent Calum Chambers during the summer and the Spaniard spent last season on loan at Championship title winners Leicester City, where he scored once in 12 appearances.

The 6ft 4in tall Barcelona-born Miquel spent five years at the Catalan giants' fabled La Masia academy but following his release was picked up by Arsenal.

Ciani was previously linked to Norwich under Adams' predecessor, Chris Hughton. The 30-year-old French international is also in the final year of his current contract with the Romans and Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Thursday both the Canaries and Premier League Stoke City have enquired about the cenre back's availability.

City have until Monday evening (11pm) before the summer transfer window closes but they can tap into the loan market as well from later next month.