The Daily Star are claiming Porto defender Ricardo Pereira has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal, who are considering a £20m offer for the player.
What’s the story?
As reported by the Daily Star, Arsene Wenger is looking to delve into the transfer market in search of a long-term competitor for Hector Bellerin and he has earmarked Pereira as a target.
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The right-back, who is currently on loan at Nice, has been in impressive form for the French club, helping to propel them to the top of the Ligue 1 table.
With Mathieu Debuchy expected to leave soon and Kieran Gibbs’ contract about to expire, Arsenal desperately need a new full-back and Pereira, who can play on either flank, might just fit the bill.
Arsenal will have to part with about £20m to take the 22-year-old to the Emirates Stadium, though, with his parent club, Porto, known to be tough negotiators.
Who is he?
Ricardo Pereira is a Portugal international and has already been capped twice by his country, albeit he was not a part of their EURO 2016 success.
He has failed to make much of an impact at Porto and has been shipped out on loan to Nice for the past two seasons, where he has impressed.
The versatile player who can fill in as a full-back, wing-back or as a winger has made 47 appearances for Nice, chipping in with one goal.
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