Barcelona are working on a deal to sign Renato Sanches and beat Arsenal and Liverpool to the Portugal and Lille midfielder, per Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast.
The La Liga giants are keen to strengthen Ronald Koeman’s engine room this summer and have turned attentions to Sanches after missing out on Georginio Wijnaldum. Barcelona had wanted to sign the Dutchman, but he snubbed their interest to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Wijnaldum chose the Parc des Princes after leaving Liverpool as a free agent as the Camp Nou outfit were taking too long during negotiations, via Sky Sports. Barcelona are now keen to avoid a repeat, as they look to sign rumoured Arsenal target Sanches from Lille.
Castles claims Barcelona are pushing ahead with plans to sign Sanches despite their financial crisis. The Catalan heavyweight hope to land the 23-year-old on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy next year.
Arsenal, too, are keen on Sanches, with the Daily Mail citing the midfielder as their top alternative to James Maddison. The Gunners also have a strong relationship with Lille, after signing Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Magalhaes from the French outfit.
Yet Barcelona are not Arsenal’s only rival for Sanches, as Le10 Sport note Tottenham Hotspur also want him. Fabrizio Romano also believes Liverpool admire the 23-year-old and will make a move should Jurgen Klopp decide he wants a replacement for Wijnaldum.
Edu could see Arsenal plans collapse if Barcelona sign Sanches
While Tottenham and Liverpool admire Sanches, Arsenal must be most wary of Barcelona in the summer transfer tussle. The Catalan outfit likely represent the Gunners’ biggest threat, with plans being drawn up to sign the midfielder.
Arsenal Technical Director Edu should be most fearful of Barcelona signing Sanches, as well. His summer plans could collapse if the Portuguese heads to the Camp Nou, and he fails to sign Leicester’s Maddison.
The Brazilian would then have to look at less attractive options to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s side. A situation Edu and Arsenal would surely want to avoid, with Calciomercato previously noting Lille want €30m (£26m) for Sanches.
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