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Arsenal locked in talks to sign La Liga star in cut-price £18m deal – reports

By on July 18, 2018

According to Football London, Arsenal are in talks with Barcelona over the signing of Andre Gomes with the Spaniard’s ready to sell for a fee in the region of £18m.

Unai Emery has made five signings so far this summer including two new midfielders with Lucas Torreira arriving from Sampdoria while highly-rated youngster Matteo Guendouzi has been signed from Lorient.

However, with Francis Coquelin sold in January and Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla leaving this summer, it seems Emery wants to further strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

We’ve been strongly linked with Steven N’Zonzi in recent weeks with Emery reportedly keen on linking-up with the Sevilla man but Gomes has also emerged as a potential target with widespread reports suggesting he’s on our radar.

The Portuguese international is expected to leave Barcelona after struggling to establish himself at the Nou Camp having joined the club from Valencia two years ago and he made just 6 starts in the league last season.

Barca are desperate to trim their wage bill with Gomes one of a number of players reportedly put up for sale and Football London claim Arsenal are now in talks with the Catalan giants over a potential deal to sign the 24-year-old.

Gomes has a release clause in his contract worth around £88m but the report says Barcelona are willing to do business at £17.7m – which sounds like a relative bargain in today’s market.

Sure, Gomes hasn’t shown his best form at Barca but he was outstanding at Valencia and he’d be a great addition to the squad if we could get him confident and playing to the best of his ability again.

MORE: Arsenal pushing to sign £35m star

We’ll have to wait and see whether Arsenal are willing to meet Barca’s asking price but the report says they want a deal wrapped-up within the next week before they head off on their pre-season tour so we could see some movement over the coming days.