Arsenal given Alejandro Grimaldo transfer hope as Benfica line up Liverpool outcast Alberto Moreno as replacement
Gunners are desperate for a long-term replacement for Nacho Monreal and remain keen on the Barcelona youngster
ARSENAL have been given a transfer boost in their quest to sign Alejandro Grimaldo as Benfica have lined up Alberto Moreno as his replacement, according to reports.
Unai Emery views the highly-sought after 23-year-old as a long-term replacement for Nacho Monreal, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The Gunners still face competition from the likes of Juventus and Manchester United to land the £35million-rated full-back.
But, Benfica have already begun preparing for Grimaldo's exit after they were linked with signing Alberto Moreno, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
The Liverpool outcast has featured just five times for Jurgen Klopp this season and is expected to leave the Anfield club on a free transfer this summer.
The 27-year-old was reportedly a shock target for Barcelona but the latest report states Moreno believes he can play more regularly at the Lisbon club.
WHO'S LEFT?
The Spaniard, who last appeared for the Reds in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Wolves in January, was thought to be signed by Barca as a back-up to first-choice Jordi Alba.
However, the former Sevilla star now looks destined to replace Grimaldo at Benfica, who may spark a bidding war for his services in the upcoming transfer window.
Barcelona are due 15 per cent of any transfer fee after they sold Grimaldo in 2015 - with the Catalan giants also linked with launching a bid themselves
The Spain Under-21 left-back remains under contract at Benfica until 2021 and still carries a reported release-clause of around £52.1million.
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Grimaldo, who has notched ten assists and scored four goals in the Primeira Liga this season, was once a target for Manchester City as an upgrade on Benjamin Mendy.
However, Pep Guardiola revealed he plans to give the injury-hit Frenchman a chance to shrug off his fitness problems that have plagued his two seasons at the club.
Arsenal also face competition for another key summer target, after SunSport reported Liverpool have entered the race to land Ajax star David Neres.