Patrick Vieira gives Arsenal seal of approval on transfer for ideal Thomas Partey partner

Arsenal: Arteta details plan to return to top four

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has provided a glowing reference for Gunners transfer target Renato Sanches. The Lille midfielder is finally coming of age after a difficult spell at Bayern Munich.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants a big summer transfer window revamp of his squad after overseeing one of the most disappointing campaigns in the club’s recent history.

The north Londoners finished eighth in the Premier League, despite winning each of their final five matches. 

Arsenal’s defence of their FA Cup success from the previous season ended in a fourth-round exit against Southampton.

A defender and a midfielder are widely believed to be high on the transfer wish list drawn up by Arteta and sporting director Edu.

JUST IN: Arsenal ‘considering Belotti transfer’ after Italy man shines at Euros

Portugal international Sanches is believed to be a target for the midfield role, alongside countryman Albert Sambi Lokonga of Anderlecht.

A teenage Sanches was one of the most widely sought players when he played for Benfica. The prospect earned a move to Bayern Munich but his development stalled, making 53 appearances across three years. 

An infamously unsuccessful loan spell at then-Premier League side Swansea City failed to boost his confidence. 

Now 23, Sanches has starred for Lille since joining in 2019. The French side stunned Paris Saint-Germain by pipping them to the Ligue 1 title last season. 

DON’T MISS:

Arsenal can save millions on free agent as Czech Republic beat Holland
Bellerin ‘attracting interest from Inter’ as Arsenal set price tag
Arsenal current standing on Camavinga emerges as Man Utd eye transfer

Sanches performed well for Portugal at Euro 2020 before being knocked out by Belgium on Sunday. 

Arsenal legend Vieira has spoken highly of Sanches, fuelling talk of a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. 

“He was a big prospect. Everybody was waiting for him to be one of the top young players for the future,” Vieira told ITV while covering the Euro 2020 last-16 tie between Belgium and Sanches’ Portugal. 

“He moved to Bayern Munich where he has a very difficult period.

“I don’t think it was the right place for him to keep developing. But last year with Lille, he did really well. He wasn’t really consistent during the season, but he had some flashes of his talent.”

Arteta has demanded a huge overhaul of his first-team squad. 

Several senior stars are expected to leave and be replaced by fresher faces. 

Defender David Luiz will depart when his contract expires on Wednesday. Long-serving right-back Hector Bellerin and midfielder Granit Xhaka have been strongly linked with departures. 

“The squad needs changing,” Arteta said in May.

There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were. Things are going to have to change and the owners are going to back it up.

“Time is catching up right now. It’s a trend, it’s years now that this has been happening. 

“If the distance and the margins with the rest become too big, then it’s almost impossible to do it.

“We are still on time, and we have put some very strong pillars and foundations in the last few months to do what we have to do.”
Source: Read Full Article