Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on 22-year-old Portuguese international Pedro Goncalves over a possible move this summer.
According to an exclusive report by 90 min, Arsenal are taking a keen interest in Pedro Goncalves over a potential swoop in the summer transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights seem to have identified the Portuguese international as a possible midfield reinforcement.
Pedro Goncalves, or Pote, has been a huge hit in Portugal since returning to his homeland from Wolves in the summer of 2019. The 22-year-old first impressed for Famalicao in what was a tremendous 2019/20 campaign for the then-minnows before arriving at Sporting CP as the replacement for Bruno Fernandes.
The youngster has filled the boots of his compatriot admirably, with 23 goals and five assists in 37 appearances helping Sporting to the Portuguese Primeira Liga title in 2020/21. Surely enough, his progress has duly been noted, and a bevy of top clubs across Europe have been monitoring Pote closely. One of his suitors are Arsenal.
The interest from Arsenal is hardly surprising in the wake of Martin Odegaard’s return to Real Madrid following his loan spell at the Emirates. With Odegaard unlikely to return this summer, the Gunners have been forced to dip their toes in the transfer market for an attacking midfielder despite the advent of Emile Smith Rowe this past season.
While Smith Rowe is set to remain a key player for Arsenal next season, Mikel Arteta will need more options at his disposal following the failures of Willian. The latter is likely to have his role reduced in 2021/22 in the off chance he is not offloaded altogether. To that end, Arsenal were heavily linked with Emiliano Buendia, who ended up snubbing them to join Aston Villa.
The north Londoners have, in turn, set their sights on alternatives, including James Maddison, with Pote now emerging as a viable target as well. The 22-year-old will bring creativity to the table for Arsenal and add bundles of goal from midfield, which has been a big miss from their game in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, Pote is not the only Portuguese international on the radar of Arsenal, who are eyeing Renato Sanches as well amid Granit Xhaka’s uncertain future at the club. As for Pote, it remains to be seen if Arsenal press ahead with their interest in the 22-year-old and whether the absence of European football tips the scales in favour of staying put with Sporting CP for one more season.
