Arsenal have refused to rule out the possibility of attempting to win the race to recruit Rafael Leao after the AC Milan star has been pinpointed by boss Mikel Arteta and influential figures at the Emirates Stadium as a potential upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Martin Zubimendi has edged closer to becoming the Gunners' first acquisition before the 2025/26 campaign, having verbally agreed personal terms with the north Londoners ahead of a move from boyhood club Real Sociedad, but there is still a desire to secure further fresh faces during the summer transfer window.
Although there are no plans to enter negotiations to keep Raheem Sterling beyond the remainder of the season as he has struggled to make a telling impact since joining on loan from Chelsea, with Arsenal paying him £110,000-per-week, it is becoming increasingly likely that he will be replaced when the opportunity arises.
Gunners Could Face Competition to Sign Leao
Barcelona and Chelsea among other sides circling for 25-year-old
Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Leao after it has been discovered that he is facing an uncertain future at AC Milan, according to GMS sources, but they are in danger of facing stiff competition from the likes of La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Premier League counterparts Chelsea if they decide to up the ante in their pursuit.
Although the Gunners will have to make the Portugal international the most expensive acquisition in their history if his current employers hold out for a release clause worth in the region of £150million to be paid in full during the summer transfer window, they are still monitoring his situation during the final weeks of the campaign.
GMS sources have been informed that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is aiming to make his mark behind the scenes by signing a premium attacker and, having seen him enjoy a productive season in the final third of the pitch, Leao is being considered as an option who could fit the bill.
Rafael Leao's statistics for AC Milan this season
AC Milan are prepared to sanction the wide forward's departure at the right price, which will give the Gunners and other admirers hope of being able to strike a deal in the coming months, while the Serie A heavyweights have already been looking at the likes of Manchester City's Jack Grealish as a potential replacement.
Arsenal are adamant that securing a more formidable option on the left flank would give Bukayo Saka more freedom on the opposite side as opponents would not necessarily look to shut off the supply to their academy graduate, GMS sources have learned, and Leao is being seen as someone who could leapfrog Martinelli and Trossard in the pecking order.
Leao Not Only Big-Name on Arteta's Shortlist
Gittens and Williams among alternatives to Portugal international
Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan
GMS sources have been told that Arsenal are taking a detailed look at Borussia Dortmund livewire Jamie Gittens and have remained long-term admirers of Athletic Bilbao talisman Nico Williams, highlighting that Leao is not the only option on Arteta and Berta's shortlist ahead of the summer.
But the 25-year-old has been described as 'one of the best players in the world' by Portugal national boss Roberto Martinez and the Gunners' decision to continue contemplating a move has resulted in AC Milan's interest in Grealish intensifying as they are desperate to avoid a situation where they are scrambling for a last-minute replacement.
Eberechi Eze and Xavi Simons - of Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig respectively - are further names being linked with Arsenal ahead of them potentially opting to bring in a more versatile attacker, GMS sources understand, but Leao is firmly on their radar as they look to end their wait for a Premier League title.
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The north Londoners are also eager to recruit a first-choice striker, with GMS sources recently revealing that they have been planning to hold discussions with Viktor Gyokeres' agent to discover whether he would be interested in completing a switch from Portuguese heavyweights Sporting in the summer.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 13/05/2025
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