Arsenal ‘in pole position to grab Sporting Lisbon’s striker

Arsenal officials are making frantic moves to snap 18-year-old Sporting Lisbon’s striker, Tiago Tomas this summer with technical director Edu working on a cut-price £20m deal’ to bolster the attack.

The striker has fired two goals, provided two assists, and is yet to miss a league match so far this season – with eight of the striker’s 18 appearances coming in the starting XI.

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The Gunners face Sporting’s city rivals Benfica in the Europa League next week, so both Edu and Gunners manager Mikel Arteta both sat down to watch the Lisbon sides face-off earlier this month.

Both men were impressed by Tomas’ performance, leading Edu to reach-out to Sporting’s director of football Hugo Viana over a summer transfer, according to the Sun.

Before his senior debut in July Tomas signed a five-year contract at the Portuguese side, with a £52m release clause bolted to the deal.

The Gunners may have dodged a deal at that price but with clubs feeling the pinch as the coronavirus pandemic rolls on, Sporting could accept a bid of just £20m.

Tomas would join a pool of exciting talent at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe leading their next generation.

The Portugal under-19 international’s arrival would be bad news for Gabriel Martinelli though, with the 19-year-old forward yet to re-find the form after a string of injuries which halted his rapid progress since arriving in north London.