ARSENAL are keeping an eye on Lille’s Renato Sanches at Euro 2020 as they weigh up a potential summer transfer.
And the Portugal International is reportedly interested in returning to the Premier League to prove his worth after a poor loan spell at Swansea City back in 2017-18, which saw him make just 12 Premier League appearances.
According to 90min, the Gunners have asked Lille to keep them informed on any potential developments with the players’ future.
And the report states that the Golden Boy winner wants to prove himself in the Premier League, according to sources close to the player.
The Arsenal hierarchy are willing to back boss Mikel Arteta this summer to a reported tune of £250million as they eye a rebuild, which could include an ambitious move for Sanches.
The midfielder has got his career back on track since playing in France, and is starting to show the promise he had as a teenager.
Sanches, 23, helped Lille win Ligue 1 this season ending a decade-long wait for a league title.
And he has helped Portugal reach the Round of 16 at Euro 2020 as they look to defend their 2016 European title, which he won at the tender age of 18.
Sanches earned himself a big money move back in May 2016, joining Bayern Munich from Benfica for a whopping £68.7m.
But the then 18-year-old struggled to adapt to life at one of Europe’s heavyweight clubs.
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And he was consequently sent on loan to then Premier League outfit Swansea City for the 2017-18 season.
Sanches made just 12 appearances for the Welsh-based club, and Swansea were relegated from the top flight of English football.
The midfielder returned to Bayern and played a full season, helping them fend off Borussia Dortmund to win the Bundesliga, as well as win the DFB-Pokal.
But in August 2019, Lille signed Sanches for a club record fee of £21.4m.
And with his performances in France drawing attention from a host of top European clubs, Lille should be able to make a tidy profit.
Sanches joins a long list of transfer targets for the Gunners, with the likes of Brighton’s Ben White being lined up for a £50m move.
But Arsenal will face still competition from Sanches’ former club Bayern, who are looking to re-sign the 23-year-old.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
