Arsenal ‘tell Lille they want Renato Sanches’ but face a January battle with AC Milan… as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield with Granit Xhaka injured, and Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny heading to AFCON
- Renato Sanches’s contract expires next summer and Lille could consider selling
- Arsenal have made their interest known to the club and his representatives
- Mikel Arteta will lose Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to AFCON in January
- AC Milan have reportedly already made an offer to Lille for the Portugal star
Arsenal are interested in signing Lille midfielder Renato Sanches in January, according to reports in France.
The Portugal international’s contract expires next summer and the Ligue 1 club are reportedly considering cashing in on their prized asset during the winter transfer window, if they receive a sufficient offer.
The Gunners have made their interest known to Sanches’s representatives, while Lille’s hierarchy are also said to be aware, according to French outlet Le 10 Sport.
Arsenal are interested in signing Lille midfielder Renato Sanches (centre) in January
The Portugal international’s contract expires next summer and Lille could consider selling
Mikel Arteta currently has Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny at his disposal to fuel his engine room.
But the Gunners boss could look to bolster his ranks in January as Granit Xhaka has been ruled out until the New Year with a knee injury, while Partey and Elneny will be missing as they head to the African Cup of Nations.
Arsenal are said to be ‘very interested’ in Sanches as they look to raid the January market for midfield reinforcements but are yet to make an offer.
The Gunners will lose Thomas Partey (left) and Mohamed Elneny (right) to AFCON in January
However, the north London club will face competition from across Europe’s top-flights for the 24-year-old’s signature.
AC Milan have reportedly made an an offer to Lille for Sanches for an undisclosed fee.
While Barcelona also made a move in the summer as they reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with the player but could not persuade Lille to part ways with their asset.
However, with the January window looming Arsenal and Milan are said to be the most active in the pursuit of Sanches’s signature.
