Football.London journalist Bailey Keogh has claimed that Lille midfield ace Renato Sanches is ‘exactly what Arsenal need’ ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
Arsenal spent plenty of money in the most recent transfer window, but relied heavily on youth to bolster their ranks, with 21-year-old Albert Sambi Lokonga the only midfield addition to last season’s squad following ex-loanee Martin Odegaard’s return to north London.
Indeed, while discussing Arsenal’s reported interest in the former Benfica and Swansea ace on ‘The Arsenal Way’ YouTube channel, Gunners journalist Keogh believes that the Portuguese midfield star is someone Mikel Arteta’s side should target in the new year.
He said: “I would bring in Renato Sanches. I think he is such a good midfielder, he’s exactly what we need.
“He is similar to Aaron Ramsey, I see elements in him where he can get from one side of the pitch to another.
“He also scores goals and he provides goals, too. He’s still young, he’s got bundles of energy. Of course, the only question would be if he has improved from his Swansea days.”
Sanches, who former Bayern Munich teammate Mats Hummels once described as ‘irresistible’ during their time together at the Bavarian side, could provide a real hit in north London as Arteta’s team look to make an assault on the top four this season.
TIF Thoughts on Renato Sanches and Arsenal…
With the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon in January, Arsenal will lose central midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny at a crucial part of the season, so a move for the Lille ace could be an incredibly shrewd one by Arteta’s side.
CalcioMercato has reported that agent Jorge Mendes is speaking to clubs to decide the future of Sanches. The Portuguese international, who is valued at £27 million (as per Transfermarkt), has reinvented himself at Lille following his dismal spell at Swansea and is now apparently looking to play for an elite club.
If the Gunners were able to sign the Portuguese, given the heights he has reached in Ligue 1 and his performances on the international stage, he could yet revitalise the Gunners midfield and form a formidable three-man central midfield alongside Partey and Belgium star Lokonga in the long term.