Arsenal considering triggering £52m release clause of red-hot Portugal winger

Arsenal are now keen on signing Sporting CP attacker Francisco Trincao in the summer, but they are facing competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.

Trincao tearing it up in Liga Portugal and Champions League

Although it is looking like FC Porto are set to win the Liga Portugal title, it has been a fantastic campaign for Trincao on a personal level, with the attacking midfielder amassing a whopping 30 goal involvements in all competitions.

The Gunners, on the other hand, have arguably lacked a reliable playmaker, with captain Martin Odegaard spending large parts of the season on the treatment table due to injury.

Leandro Trossard has stepped up to the plate when required, amassing ten assists in 48 matches in all competitions, and the Belgian scored the winning goal in the crucial 1-0 victory against West Ham United on Sunday, which put his side on the brink of winning the title.

There was some late drama, with Callum Wilson’s goal being ruled out by VAR after a lengthy check, but Mikel Arteta‘s side survived, and they will pip Manchester City to first place by winning their remaining two matches, against Burnley and Crystal Palace.

However, with Odegaard missing 13 Premier League matches due to a range of injuries this season, Arsenal have set out to sign a new attacking midfielder in the summer, entering the race to sign Trincao.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which reveals there is a €60m (£52m) release clause in the former Barcelona star’s contract, with Liverpool and Chelsea showing interest.

The 26-year-old is now established at international level, having collected 17 caps for Portugal, and he has been lauded as “unreal” by Premier League commentator Joshua Smith.

Arteta praises “brave” officials in dramatic win at West Ham

Disallowing Wilson’s goal could have major ramifications in the Premier League title race and relegation battle, with Tottenham Hotspur able to move four points clear of their London rivals if they overcome Leeds United tonight.

However, Arteta is in no doubt the officials came to the correct conclusion, saying: “It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.

“When I have to be critical, I have been. And today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error.

“It is a free-kick, and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.”

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