Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has now personally spoken to a £145m star about a summer move to the Emirates Stadium, according to a report.
Gunners eyeing new winger amid Martinelli criticism
There have recently been suggestions that Gabriel Martinelli may not be at the level required to take the Gunners to the next level, with journalist Kyle Bonn implying that Mikel Arteta should look to bring in a new winger in the summer transfer window.
Those thoughts may also be echoed by club legend Thierry Henry, with the Frenchman suggesting the winger still has plenty of areas in which he needs to improve after the 2-0 victory against Manchester United earlier this season.
As we approach the summer transfer window, the north Londoners have been stepping up their pursuit of a new winger, with the likes of Nico Williams and Rodrygo believed to be of interest, while they have now made contact over a deal for a different forward.
Indeed, according to a report from Foot Mercato, Arsenal have now shortlisted AC Milan's Rafael Leao as a summer target, with Berta speaking to the Portugal international on the phone around ten days ago.
AC Milan's Rafael Leao
The Gunners hold a real interest in Leao, who is considering an exit this summer after a mixed campaign at the San Siro, but he is not their priority target, and they are yet to make a final decision about whether to make a move.
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[£359k-per-week striker would join Arsenal "immediately", Berta wants him](https://www.footballfancast.com/arsenal-transfers-dusan-vlahovic-andrea-berta/ "£359k-per-week striker would join Arsenal "immediately", Berta wants him")
He's apparently very keen.
"Incredible" Leao could be expensive signing for Arsenal
According to reports from Italy, Milan could hold out for as much as £145m for the Portuguese winger, so a deal is likely to be on the expensive side, but there are clear signs he could be an upgrade on Martinelli.
The 25-year-old has averaged more non-penalty goals, assists and successful take-ons than the Arsenal winger over the past year, during which time he has also been lauded as "incredible" by CBS' Matteo Bonetti.
While Milan have underperformed throughout the 2024-25 campaign, currently sitting in seventh place, the Almada-born winger has remained consistent in front of goal, picking up 12 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
As such, should Arsenal decide to bring in a new winger this summer, Leao should be right near the top of the list of targets, but signing a new centre-forward is arguably more important, with Arteta being left very short on options at striker throughout the campaign.