Arsenal are reportedly looking to rival Manchester United and Manchester City in the pursuit of £40 million-rated AS Monaco superstar Fabinho.
According to a report by The Sun, Arsene Wenger is interested in entering the race to sign Brazilian defender Fabinho from AS Monaco for a sum of £40 million. Fabinho played an integral role in Monaco’s brilliant season last term and signing him will surely be a boost.
Fabinho moved to Monaco on a temporary basis in the summer of 2013 where he was until 2015 before putting pen to paper to a permanent contract. He joined the French side for a fee of £5.1 million, but has seen his value skyrocket ever since.
The Brazilian has proven to be versatile with his ability to play as a right-back and also a defensive midfielder. He has truly come a long way since his time at Real Madrid and blossomed at the French club by learning to balance his attacking instincts with his basic defensive duties with relative ease.
United have been targeting him but seem to be busy with signing a quality striker now and are believed to be closing in on a deal for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, leaving the door open for Wenger or Pep Guardiola to capitalize. Wenger, having secured a deal for Alexander Lacazette, will be hoping to ink more deals this summer.
Fabinho has a good range of passes and is equally adept on and off the ball. His positional play is exceptional, and he would be a vital signing for Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese boss seems to love players who can be creative and versatile.
However, they will face stiff competition from Guardiola. The Manchester City manager failed to win a single trophy last season and will be looking to get his hands on silverware next term. City consisted of several ageing full backs when Guardiola took over and lacked quality in the midfield.
Fabinho’s arrival could mean that Fernandinho returns to the midfield with Fabinho playing as a right-back, or he could even partner his Brazilian compatriot in a midfield pivot since Yaya Toure is expected to leave.
Meanwhile, a deal with Arsenal may not be the best option since they already have a wealth of central midfielders but with Santi Cazorla’s recurrent injury problems and Francis Coquelin’s inconsistency, Fabinho could prove to be a worthy alternative.