Arsenal ‘very interested’ in Renato Sanches transfer

Arsenal have already and will continue to be linked with a plethora of players this summer window until they actually get some deals over the line. Some names have been fleetingly mentioned while others have gathered momentum, with the latest of those being Renato Sanches.

This isn’t the first time the midfielder’s name has cropped up alongside Arsenal. Naturally his performances for Portugal were going to cause a stir and as is customary a few solid outings in international tournaments makes you hot property.

In need of reinforcements in that department, Manuel Locatelli has risen to the top of the order with Arsenal lodging a bid to sign the Italian from the clutches of Juventus – but that deal will be very tough to pull off.

Granit Xhaka’s exit from the European Championships after Switzerland’s heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals will speed up his departure, leaving a gap that needs filling.

Arsenal ‘very interested’ in Renato Sanches transfer with Liverpool also keen on Lille midfielder in summer transfer window

Should Arsenal fail to secure Locatelli as desired then backups will be needed and L’Equipe (via Sport Witness) claim previously reported rumours have backing to them by stating Arsenal and Liverpool are ‘very interested’ in signing Renato Sanches this summer.

There is no mention what fee it would take but previous indications are that Lille are unlikely to drop too heavily from the €80m asking price they set back in January. If that is the situation then it’s most definitely case closed.

However, it’s added that one of Sanches and his teammate Xeka will leave the Ligue 1 champions this window as Lille prepare to lose key members of their squad. Director of football Luis Campos has also departed while even the manager, Christophe Galtier, left two days after lifting the title.

It will be a summer of change and the new man in the dugout would welcome some money to mould his team therefore the sale of someone like Sanches, who while could be available on a lower fee but would still be expensive, is likely.

Everyone is aware just how talented the 23-year-old is, the issue is how risky any move would turn out to be. Sanches has a career riddled with niggling injuries and has never played more than 24 league matches in a single campaign.

As a technically and tactically flexible midfielder, he can be joyous to watch. His carries from deep and bursts of acceleration are majestic, while the diversity he has to his game makes him a complementary option alongside a defensive midfielder. The prospect of a Sanches and Thomas Partey pivot has real potential.

On the kinds of fees being flung about? No chance. Unless he’s available for around what Lille paid for him (£27.5m), which won’t happen, then the risk would be too great. Huge talent, huge outlay.