Arsenal close in on wrapping up TWO deals after entering talks with Benfica over left back Nuno Tavares and making improved £18m offer for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga… after first £13.5m bid was rejected
- Arsenal have begun talks with Benfica for a £6m deal for left back Nuno Tavares
- Tavares is seen as cover for Kieran Tierney but is valued at much closer to £15m
- Boss Mikel Arteta may also land Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer
- An improved offer has been tabled for the midfielder after the first was rejected
- Discussions with Brighton over £50m-rated defender Ben White are continuing
Arsenal are in talks with Benfica over a £6million deal for left back Nuno Tavares and have made an improved bid for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The 21-year-old Tavares is viewed as cover for Kieran Tierney but Benfica value him at closer to £15m.
Tavares made his breakthrough into Benfica’s first-team in 2019, and went on to make 14 league appearances during an impressive season last year.
Arsenal have entered talks with Benfica over a £6m deal for left back Nuno Tavares (pictured)
Mikel Arteta is set for a busy summer at the Emirates with the club working through targets
First-choice option Tierney recently penned a new five-year deal at the Emirates, and Arsenal are now on the hunt to bring in competition for him.
The club are currently working through a number of targets and will look to offer bonus payments to help get a deal for the Portugal U21 international.
They have also raised their offer for Anderlecht’s 21-year old midfielder Lokonga to around £18m including add-ons.
Tavares (left) is seen as competition for Kieran Tierney but his price tag is much closer to £15m
An improved offer of around £18m has been tabled for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga
An initial bid of around £13.5m was rejected for the starlet, as reported by Sportsmail earlier this month.
Anderlecht were holding out for £18m, so the recently-tabled offer – which matches the price tag – may see negotiations wrapped up shortly.
Lokonga earned his first call-up to Belgium’s senior squad this year, and he is also on Roberto Martinez’s standby list for Euro 2020.
Arsenal remain in talks with Brighton over defender Ben White, who is valued at around £50m
Meanwhile, it is understood Arsenal also raised their package for highly-coveted Brighton defender Ben White to £45m, with a further £5m in add-ons.
The south coast outfit are maintaining their stance of wanting £50m in guaranteed payments, however.
Talks between both clubs are continuing over the structure of the deal, and England international White is keen to make the move.
