Emirates Stadium side set sights on Benfica flair player.
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Portuguese source ABola claim that Arsene Wenger has taken an interest in Benfica playmaker Nicolas Gaitan, joining a host of players said to be keen on the Argentine international.
The 25 year old may well be one of many at the Estadio da Luz who would still be shell-shocked after a disastrous run-in saw Jorge Jesus lose the Primiera Liga title to arch rivals FC Porto in the final weeks of the season, having led for long periods, then lost the Europa League final to a late Branislav Ivanovic winner that gave Chelsea the spoils and then suffered an ignominious defeat to Vitória Guimarães in the domestic cup final.
Gaitan may well be considering his options but Arsenal would have to fork out a large sum for the 25 year old who last term finished as one of the Portuguese top tier’s leading assist makers.
This source quotes the former Boca Juniors star’s release clause at a whopping €45m (£38m), a fee way in excess of what Arsenal fans are used to seeing their side spend.
There is of course the argument that Arsenal don’t lack creative or wide attacking midfield talents and that big sums could be put to better use in the pursuit of a prolific forward or perhaps an out and out defensive enforcer to sit in the centre of the park.