‘As early as January’ – Arsenal prepare plan to beat ‘serious’ competition to signing

Arsenal and AC Milan have been credited with an interest in Lille’s Renato Sanches.

Two days ago, the midfielder admitted he is ready to take the next step and join a big club, and stressed his agent is dealing with the interest from elsewhere, when quizzed about the Gunners and the Serie A side wanting to sign him.

On Tuesday, Calciomercato stated the north London club should be ‘warned’ that the Rossoneri are ‘serious’ about the 24-year-old.

Stefano Pioli’s side being ‘serious’ about the Sanches has reportedly seen Arsenal come up with a plan to beat the Italian club for his signature.

That’s according to another report from Calciomercato, who state Arsenal are ‘looking for funds’ to bring the Portugal international to the Emirates, ‘as early as January’.

Edu Gaspar, the English club’s technical director, plans to raise around €55m by offloading Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Bernd Leno in the winter market.

‘With such a treasure’ from Mikel Arteta’s side, it ‘would be difficult’ for Lille to ‘say no’ to Sanches’ sale in the next window. This is how Arsenal ‘plan to take’ Sanches away from a ‘serious’ competitor, Milan.