Arsenal have reportedly settled on LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches as their main target for the position in the summer transfer window.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Portuguese international is on the radar for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer, with the Ligue 1 star likely to leave Lille a year after coming close to an exit with the French champions.
As per the report, Lille will be open to selling Sanches for €30m (£25m), a transfer fee that would suit Arsenal to a tee given their need for a new first-team midfielder with Mohamed Elneny set to leave at the end of this season and Granit Xhaka’s future still uncertain.
Sanches was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in 2021, with CalcioMercato reporting that technical director Edu Gaspar is a big fan of the former Bayern Munich midfielder and was willing to spend as much as £45m in January for the 24-year-old.
Hailed as ‘amazing’ by Carlo Ancelotti, Sanches could be an ideal player to join the Gunners in the summer given his overall qualities in the midfield as well as his age, with Arsenal leaning to a transfer policy of signing players aged 24 or younger.
Excelling in both controlling the ball and progressing the ball up the pitch, Sanches would be a signing that excites Arsenal supporters, especially with the Portuguese star lining up alongside Thomas Partey in the midfield.
Arsenal have to wrap up Sanches transfer as soon as possible
The summer transfer window is still some months away, but with reports now suggesting that Sanches is a top target for Arsenal, the Gunners must do everything they can to secure the midfielder’s signature.
A long-term partner for Partey is crucial for Arsenal’s plans to return to the top of English football, and Sanches could be the ideal player to slot next to the Ghanaian in Mikel Arteta’s developing system.
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