ARSENAL are pondering a tilt for Sporting Lisbon’s Gelson Martins.
New Gunners boss Unai Emery is keen to add the Portuguese flyer to his ranks as he looks to overhaul the squad inherited from Arsene Wenger.
O Jogo reckon the 23-year-old is also attracting interest from Italian champions Juventus who want to replace midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah who has opted to leave Turin this summer.
Martins bagged 13 goals with 13 assists for Sporting who finished third in the Portuguese top flight last term.
The Gunners, under Wenger wanted Martins and his team-mate William Carvalho, but an £86million joint bid was rebuffed by the Portuguese outfit last year.
Sporting are keen to keep hold of their star man, but could be resigned to losing him to this summer.
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But they could also lose a host of stars after their own fans raided the club’s training ground attacking players and coaching staff in a shocking act of violence last month.
William Carvalho could finally get his wish to leave Portugal with new Everton boss Marca Silva keen to take him to Goodison Park.
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Martins is under contract until 2022, but reportedly has a £52.7million release clause in his deal, meaning he could be free to speak to other clubs if that’s met.
Liverpool were monitoring his situation in January, however Sporting’s hierarchy were adamant their star man was not for sale.
Emery also wants to bolster his central midfield options and wants Sevilla star Steven N’Zonzi with him to the Emirates.
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