Arsenal are looking to secure the services of FC Porto full-back Ricardo Pereira this summer. According to recent reports, the Gunners are planning to make a move for the Portuguese defender when the transfer window opens in the summer. However, Arsene Wenger’s side could face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in pursuit of the Portuguese right-back’s signature.
It is believed that the Gunners are on the lookout for a replacement of Hector Bellerin in this summer transfer period. Some sources have recently claimed that the North London outfit has identified Pereira as a perfect option to replace Bellerin and are ready pay his release clause, which is believed to be a fee in the region of £17.5m, in order to bring him to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the new campaign.
The Portuguese full-back was previously a transfer target of Tottenham Hotspur but FC Porto were reluctant to let him leave last summer. Pereira has made 41 appearances for FC Porto this season, scoring two goals and creating 7 assists in all competitions.
The North London side have a tally of 57 points in 34 league fixtures and are currently sitting in the 6th position in the Premier League standings. All of the Gunners hopes are in the UEFA Europa League basket with a crucial home tie versus Atletico Madrid looming on the horizon.
The addition of Pereira will undoubtedly bolster Arsenal’s defensive options going into the new season. Arsene Wenger’s team have the likes of Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Callum Chambers vying for a place in the Arsenal first-team. The potential acquisition of Pereira will definitely improve their team significantly and add more competition for places within Wenger’s squad.
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Pereira is extremely versatile and can play in a number of different position across the pitch. The Portuguese defender primarily operates as a right-back but can also be deployed in the left-back position or in a more advanced role down the right flank which makes him an ideal fit for any of his potential suitors. At 24, the FC Porto star still has his peak years ahead of him which the Gunners could look to utilise in the coming years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Pereira and whether he ends up making a switch to the Emirates Stadium in the near future.
