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Arsenal told they can sign Portuguese star in £35m deal

By on March 21, 2018

According to the Mirror, Arsenal have been told it will take an offer of £35m to get a deal agreed with Benfica for the signing of centre-back Ruben Dias this summer.

Arsene Wenger is expected to strengthen his defensive options at the end of the season as Per Mertesacker is due to bring an end to his illustrious career when his contract expires in June.

Laurent Koscielny is also plagued by an on-going Achilles injury and will turn 33 this year so there’s no doubt we need to bring in another central defender this summer.

Dias has emerged as a key target in recent months with Arsenal scouts spotted at Benfica games to watch the 20-year-old on several occasions this season.

The Mirror are now carrying a report that claims Benfica have informed Arsenal chiefs they are willing to cash-in on Dias but only if an offer of around £35m is put on the table.

That figure is below the Portuguese U21 international’s £52.5m release clause but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be prepared to pay £35m for a player who’s only made 24 first team appearances so far.

Dias has been with Benfica his entire career having progressed through their youth system and he’s now a regular in the starting eleven having broken in to the first team at the start of the season.

The young 6ft 1in centre-back is tipped to have a bright future in the game and has represented his country at every youth level but I’m not convinced Arsenal will pay Benfica’s reported asking price.

So the Portuguese giants may have to lower their expectations if we’re to sign Dias this summer….