Skint Arsenal send scouts to watch Benfica full-back Grimaldo with transfer eyed
Gunners scouts watched the 23-year-old in action against Galatasaray in a Europa League clash
ARSENAL reportedly sent scouts to watch Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo this week.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Gunners spies watched the 23-year-old in action against Galatasaray in a Europa League clash.
Grimaldo has a reported release-clause of around £52.1million and is contracted at the Portuguese giants until 2021.
The Spaniard joined Benfica in January 2016 signing from Barcelona B for £1.8m.
Grimaldo has made 100 appearances in all competitions for Benfica, scoring nine and assisting 14.
Arsenal signed just Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona in January after boss Unai Emery revealed he had no budget to spend.
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Gunners chiefs are going to loosen the purse-strings in the summer to allow Emery to strengthen the squad.
The Gunners are looking to bring in a new left-back, with the position currently filled Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac.
However, injuries to Arsenal’s defence have caused them to revert to a back three, while full-backs such as Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner have had to cover at centre-half.
Arsenal have been without regular right-back Hector Bellerin for 13 games due to injury this season.
The Spaniard first picked up a calf strain against Burnley in December which sidelined him for four games.
However, after returning against West Ham in January, against Chelsea in the next game the 23-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament rupture.