Arsenal have reportedly entered the chase for SL Benfica youngster Andrija Zivkovic, having sent scouts to watch the Manchester United target in action.
Andrija Zivkovic seems to be making great strides so far. Manchester United have been linked to the SL Benfica star for a while. And according to The Sun, Arsenal have rejoined the chase, sending scouts to watch the youngster in action against Maritimo over the weekend.
The Gunners had their scouts watching Zivkovic in action for SL Benfica in a Liga NOS game against Maritimo over the weekend, with the Serbian scoring in the 5-0 win.
Andrija Zivkovic joined SL Benfica from Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2016 on a free transfer and has since become one of the key members of the squad. After missing the beginning of the 2017-18 campaign with a thigh problem, the player has been going about his job well and on a consistent basis.
3 goals and 3 assists in 12 league games signify a decent return but also something that Zivkovic will have to improve upon going further, given the fact that he plays in a very attacking position, be it in his preferred role on the right wing or the other wing or the central attacking midfield.
Zivkovic though, is generating quite a bit of interest, especially from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United interested in the 21-year-old.
At United, Alexis Sanchez’s arrival has not remedied the headache of the absence of any genuine right-winger. With Sanchez being deployed on the left, Martial, Rashford and Mata have had to jostle for the spot on the right, with the former not having as much of an influence from the right as they did from the left.
Arsenal on the other hand, seem over-staffed in attack at present. But, considering their current situation, Arsene Wenger is unlikely to stay at the club beyond the current campaign and the new manager might want to move the pieces around a bit and rebuild the squad.
Zivkovic, at 21, represents long-term viability for both clubs. But, he is unlikely to be a starter at either Manchester United or Arsenal. The Serbian’s best shot at regular first-team action for now might just be at SL Benfica.
Make no mistake though, as the interest from Arsenal and Manchester United – two of the top clubs in world football – combined with the prospect of plying his trade in the illustrious and cash-rich Premier League could turn his head in the summer.
For now though, this looks more like Arsenal and United are scouting to be in the know and have the latest info on up-and-coming stars.
