Arsenal lead Liverpool in chase for Portuguese left-back
Published:
After failing to sign a single outfield player last summer, Arsene Wenger seems set to do quite the opposite this time around in a bid to rebuild his flagging Arsenal side.
With the Gunners failing to take advantage of one of the most open Premier League seasons in years, the north London club are heading for a trophyless campaign.
The pressure is on Wenger to make Arsenal consistent title contenders, with rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs set to spend big this summer.
One man the Gunners do seem to be leading the fight for however is Lorient defender Raphael Guerreiro.
With several reports suggesting Kieran Gibbs is set to leave the Emirates in the off-season, Arsenal are eyeing up several left-backs to rival Nacho Monreal.
Lorient man Guerreiro is also the subject of attention from Liverpool, but Arsenal’s connections with the club following Laurent Koscielny’s switch between the two in 2010 could hand them the edge.
Gibbs has failed to oust Monreal as Wenger’s preferred starter at left-back, and with the Spaniard recently signing a new deal, it seems the days are numbered for the 26-year-old England international.
However, with Guerreiro just 22, Wenger would have a long-term plan in place for the full-back spot, with Monreal some eight years older.
Valued at £5.6m by transfermarkt.co.uk, the French-born Portugal international has just a year to run on his contract, which could further boost Arsenal’s position should an offer be launched.
Guerreiro has been a near ever-present for his side since joining from Caen in 2013, breaking through into the national side during his three years with Lorient.
The left-back also featured strongly for Portugal during the European U21 Championships last summer, being named in the team of the tournament as his side reached the final, beating a Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard-led England along the way.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
