Arsenal are the latest Premier League club, after Liverpool and Manchester United, to show an interest in the Sporting left-back Nuno Mendes, according to O Jogo.
Arsenal, along with AC Milan, are said to have come forward with a declaration of intent for Mendes, following reports last week that Liverpool had done similar (Record).
And it is claimed the Gunners’ approach received an identical response from Sporting, who pointed to the teenager’s newly-signed contract containing a €45 million buy-out clause – which equates to around £40.1m.
Milan have already had an offer of €15m (around £13.4m) plus add-ons knocked back by Sporting, according to O Jogo.
And the Portuguese club’s demands are said to have ‘put a brake on Arsenal’s ambitions’ to add competition for Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka on the left of Mikel Arteta’s three-four-three system.
Mendes is a product of the same Sporting academy system that spawned Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.
And big things are also expected of Mendes, after his impressive nine-game run in the side between early June and the end of July.
Both Liverpool – who have already strengthened their left side with the acquisition of Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiacos – and Manchester United see the Portugal Under-19 international as a potential target for the future, according to O Jogo.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United or neither – what is Mendes’ best option?
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