Report: President snubs ‘dream’ move for £30m Arsenal and Liverpool target after rival talks

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Barcelona President Joan Laporta has met his Lille counterpart, Olivier Letang, and Jorge Mendes to discuss Renato Sanches, per Sport, amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Ronald Koeman wants the Camp Nou hierarchy to sign another midfielder ahead of the new La Liga season. The Dutchman believes the Catalan outfit lack a physical presence in the engine room and wants a player with different characteristics to his current options.

Koeman also knows he cannot rely solely on Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri all season. So, has eyes on Sanches after he revived his career at Ligue 1 champions Lille after a difficult time at Bayern Munich.

But Barcelona are likely to miss out on signing Sanches, who L’Equipe claim ‘dreams’ of playing at the Camp Nou. The French publication also note Arsenal and Liverpool want to sign Sanches this summer, but face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, per Le10 Sport.

Barcelona can only afford to sign Sanches on loan from Lille, which President Letang is not currently willing to allow. The Dogues chief met with Laporta and super-agent Mendes recently to discuss a temporary deal that carried obligatory purchase terms.

Mendes is a busy man it would appear, then, as Sport Mediaset also report the super-agent offered Sanches to Juventus. But the Portuguese is not a priority for the Bianconeri, as they prioritise Manuel Locatelli, Miralem Pjanic and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Letang offers Liverpool and Arsenal hope of Sanches transfer after snubbing Barcelona

Letang has offered Liverpool and Arsenal hope of signing Sanches, then, by shutting down Barcelona’s loan approach. The Lille chief is not against selling the midfielder, as Le10 Sport add he wants to cash in this summer.

That is likely why Letang rejected Laporta’s loan-to-buy request, favouring guaranteed cash as soon as possible. Arsenal and Liverpool must decide if they want – or can afford – to pay Lille €35m (£30m) for Sanches. A fee Barcelona could not rise to at present.