Arsenal make approach to sign Man Utd attacking target with £66m clause

Francisco Trincao is on Arsenal’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window (Getty)

Arsenal have made an approach for Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincao, according to reports in Portugal.

The 25-year-old has been one of Sporting’s standout performers this season with nine goals and 18 assists in all competitions so far.

Last month, it was reported that Manchester United have made Trincao one of their top attacking targets for the summer transfer window with Ruben Amorim having managed the midfielder at both Braga and Sporting.

Portuguese newspaper Record led their front page on Friday with Arsenal’s interest in Trincao, claiming that Mikel Arteta’s side are one of three Premier League clubs who have begun talks for the Portugal international.

The report adds that Arsenal have scouted Trincao extensively during his games for Sporting this season.

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Sporting, meanwhile, have been in talks to extend Trincao’s current deal, which will have two years remaining at the end of the season and includes a €80m (£66.5m) release clause.

Record claim Arsenal are one of three Premier League clubs interested in Francisco Trincao (Record)

Trincao already has Premier League experience following his season-long loan spell at Wolves in the 2021-22 campaign.

Wolves opted not to sign the winger on a permanent deal and he ended up joining Sporting from Barcelona initially on loan in July 2022.

Sporting permanently signed Trincao for €7m (£6m) the following summer but Barcelona included a €25m (£20.8m) buyback option, which expires next year, and retained 50 per cent sell-on clause as part of their agreement.

Francisco Trincao played against Arsenal in the Champions League in November (NurPhoto via Getty)

Asked about his future in November, Trincao said: ‘We have not spoken yet about my contract renewal.

‘Everyone knows I am happy here at Sporting. I am very happy, I love Lisbon, this is my club, of course I am happy.’

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Meanwhile, Trincao’s former Sporting teammate, Luis Neto, revealed last year how impressed he had been with the winger’s development under Amorim.

‘The player I saw doing in training everything that was difficult to transfer to the game was Trincao,’ said the former Portugal international.

‘In recovery training he was a complete standout, we saw him doing in training everything he does now. I had conversations with him and spoke to Paulinho and Esgaio, who knew him from Braga, about what was missing to move to another level.

‘He added numbers, made wonderful plays, he was a decisive player and I am happy to have made that leap. There is no turning back now. My choice for the biggest surprise of the year would be Francisco.’

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