Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have to look for another target after his priority signing Renato Sanches fancies a move somewhere else. It is understood that Arteta desperately wanted Sanches in the summer. However, the Arsenal manager reportedly won’t get his hands on the Portuguese. Reports tell that the Euro winner has many suitors and has chosen his next destination. Renato Sanches currently plies his trade with Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille. But the midfielder is now ready to take the next step in his career with Lille anticipating his exit.
TBR were the first to report that Arsenal have Renato Sanches on their cards. Mikel Arteta is heavily impressed with the 24-year-old and asked Arsenal to pursue him. Moreover, Sanches has the experience of playing in the Premier League further strengthening Arteta’s interest. Sanches played for Swansea City on-loan from Bayern Munich. He made 15 appearances for the English club, out of which 12 came in the Premier League. But his time with the Swans was rather deemed as an unsuccessful one.
Furthermore, the Gunners were not the only ones chasing Sanches. Their fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool were keeping a tab as well on Sanches. However, it appears that not even the Reds will be able to land their target. Football Italia have come up with a report revealing the midfielder’s next club. And as things stand, Arsenal and Arteta have missed out.
Arteta won’t be getting Sanches for Arsenal
Football Italia claim Serie A giants AC Milan have reportedly locked in Sanches with a deal. The report said that negotiations were ongoing over the last few months, and now both the player and Milan have a full agreement in place. Moreover, with Lille already accepting his request to leave, Milan believe that a deal the contract can be signed quickly. Sanches as well is believed to have set his heart over the transfer.
This comes as a nig blow to Arteta who wanted to see the midfielder in Arsenal colours from next season onwards. AC Milan have reportedly tabled a bid of £19 million plus £4 million add-ons. Further details reveal that Sanches will take a massive pay-cut, with his net salary per year being less than £4 million. However, the player is still excited for a reunion with his friend Mike Maignan who joined Milan last summer from Lille.
Renato Sanches could have been a nice match for Arteta at Arsenal. The midfielder failed to live up to his hype after a breakthrough EURO campaign with Portugal. Bayern Munich immediately notched-up him for £18 million from SL Benfica. But Sanches’ failure to match his levels from the EURO forced the German club to get rid of him.
Lille signed him permanently after his below-par loan move with Swansea. Since then, he hasn’t looked back, racking up 90 appearances for Lille since joining them in 2019. Sanches has provided 10 assists and scored 7 in those games. But his dominance in the middle of the park is a thing of beauty.
Sanches clocks an impressive 2.5 dribbles, 6.1 long-balls and 2 key-passes per 90 for Lille in the league. Furthermore, the midfielder presses the opponent 15 times and creates 4.28 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes as well. Arteta would be definitely missing out on a talented boy, but its not the end for him and Arsenal. There would other targets as well for the Gunners, who can deliver the same performances.
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