Arsenal have been handed a boost in the pursuit of Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino after the Spanish club set an asking price for the coveted winger.
The Gunners’ desire to add a winger to the ranks are widespread after an initial attempt to lure Raphinha from Leeds United earlier in the summer, prior to the Brazilian signing for Barcelona.
As a result, Pino appears to have made his way onto Arsenal’s radar, with Liverpool also registering their interest in the highly-rated 19-year-old.
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The demand for the freshly-capped Spain international has now been met by an asking price set by Villarreal, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
El Submarino Amarillo are holding out for a bid in the region of £42m from suitors, but the deal won’t be a straightforward one to strike, the transfer expert believes.
Speaking on his CaughtOffside exclusive briefing, Romano revealed: "No proposals have been made yet to Villarreal, who would like more than €50 million for their young star.
"It will not be an easy negotiation," Romano added. "Many clubs have been following Pino for months.
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"He is a top player for the future that at least three Premier League clubs have been monitoring for some time."
Last week, former Arsenal manager and current Villarreal boss Unai Emery spoke openly about the prospect of losing the attacker, fuelling the rumours concerning an imminent exit.
With the Spanish outfit failing to attract sizeable offers for other key assets, Emery revealed: "If an offer for players like Yeremy Pino arrives, then he will have to leave.
"We have a responsibility with the club. It is what it is,” the Spanish manager concluded.
The news was coupled with the apparent sighting of Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s technical director, holding discussions in Spain, but Romano, again via CaughtOffside, has refuted the link.
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"Edu was not travelling to Spain to meet Villarreal because Pino’s agents [Stella Group] are based in the UK," the Italian journalist stated.
The Arsenal target, who has a fixed release clause worth £67.5 million, featured in Villarreal’s first league game of the season, as Emery’s men kicked off proceedings with a 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
Pino starred last season with seven goals and four assists in all competitions for the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists.
Topics: Arsenal
Patrick Ribeiro