Arsenal told they will have to pay £52m for 18-year-old
Sporting Lisbon have made it clear to Arsenal what they will need to pay to lure Tiago Tomas away from Portugal this summer, according to reports.
Tomas, who is an 18-year-old forward who can play centrally or from the right, has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Sporting this campaign.
He has scored five goals and laid on three more this season and his performances have been enough to convince Arsenal to pursue a move this summer.
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The Gunners may have to sell the likes of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi this summer before they can bring in their top targets – but they continue to be linked with a number of players.
Tomas, who has two under-21 caps for Portugal, signed a new deal with Sporting around a year ago that means his contract still has another four years left to run.
Arsenal have been previously linked with a cut-price deal for Tomas with the economic situation due to Covid meaning Sporting were reportedly willing to accept £20m back in February.
However, circumstances appear to have changed with Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) claiming that Sporting are insisting that Arsenal – who have made contact over a move – will need to pay his €60m (£52m) buyout clause.
It would clearly be a huge amount for a player that age, who has only played 41 senior matches in his career.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits his side need to be “much better” next season if they are to close the gap on the Premier League elite.
“When I was with the team a few months ago and with them now, regardless of the results, we are in a much better place and will be in a much better place and can hopefully take the club where we want,” Arteta said.
“It is frustrating because last season with 61 points we (would have finished) fifth, now we are eighth and that is the step that we have to identify.
“The level has gone so high so the only way to do it is to be much better next season and much more consistent and this is the challenge ahead of us.”
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