Report – Arsenal suffer MAJOR setback in 25-goal striker pursuit

According to reports emanating from Portugal, North London giants Arsenal have had a £26m bid for Gelson Martins rejected by Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal keen on the attacker

Portuguese publication A Bola, as cited by The Sun, is claiming that Arsenal launched a bid to land the attacker in the summer window.

The same report states that Sporting Lisbon turned down their £26m bid to land the 23-year-old after his side placed a £39m valuation on the Portugal international attacker.

As per the same report, Martins is angered with the Portuguese side given the agitation at Sporting Lisbon involving the side’s president, hierarchy and team at the end of the recently concluded season.

Liverpool and Man United also named

The Gunners could face stiff competition from Liverpool and Man United with the English Premier League duo also closely monitoring the Euro 2016 winner’s current situation at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

Martins has netted 25 goals in 125 matches across all competitions over the last four campaigns since coming through the ranks at Lisbon.

The Gunners signed Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Italian Serie A giants Juventus after the player’s contract expired at the Italian side.

Arsenal finished in sixth position on the English Premier League log last season to miss out on a UEFA Champions League place of the second season running.