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Club ready to hand new contract to £51m star with Arsenal "following him closely" - report

Sporting CP are ready to hand an improved contract to Francisco Trincao amid interest from Arsenal, according to Record (page 6).

The Portugal international had a fantastic 2024/25 campaign with Sporting CP. He scored 11 goals and provided 19 assists in all competitions.

This has spread speculation that he could pursue a new challenge.

Record report that three Premier League clubs have promised a net salary of around £2.5 million per year to the former Barcelona attacker.

Arsenal are one of the clubs that are following him closely.

Sporting CP are willing to go all-out to counter the English interest.

The Primeira Liga champions are ready to considerably increase his salary and are prepared to hand him the number 10 shirt for a renewal.

Trincao would also be integrated into the group of captains at the Lisbon outfit.

Trincao to Arsenal speculation seems agent-driven

The 25-year-old had a superb campaign with Sporting CP with 30 goal contributions.

He also scored a match-winning brace for Portugal coming off the bench against Denmark this year.

Despite this, the Gunners may not pursue his signature.

Trincao, who has a release clause worth £51 million in his contract, is predominantly a right-sided winger and has been less successful from the opposite flank.

Arsenal have the position well covered with Bukayo Saka. Ethan Nwaneri has proved a good deputy and should get more minutes from the role next season.

The club’s main focus is on finding a better solution on the left wing. Trincao does not seem to be the answer as the hierarchy may want a specialist for the role.

The speculation is probably agent-driven amid Arsenal’s interest in Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners are prioritising a deal for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but Gyokeres remains the back-up target if the Slovenian does not join the club this summer.

Trincao’s representative could be using Arsenal’s name to ignite interest from elsewhere. Trincao could also end up penning a new Sporting CP deal with a pay rise.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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