Report: Arsenal dealt blow in race for Renato Sanches; rival suitors want to play £25m trump card

By Dylan Walsh

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Renato Sanches with details emerging that Bayern Munich have a buy-back clause for the midfielder.

According to Jeunes Footeux, the Bundesliga giants have a €30m (£25m) buy-back clause for the LOSC Lille star.

Furthermore, Bayern are contemplating activating it this summer with new manager Julian Nagelsmann a fan of Sanches.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Arsenal are also admirers of Sanches. The Portuguese international suits the profile of what Mikel Arteta is looking for this summer in a new midfielder.

The Gunners have five central midfielders in their first-team squad. With that number likely to reduce this summer with Granit Xhaka on the verge of joining AS Roma on a permanent transfer.

Moreover, the future of Lucas Torreira looks questionable. The Uruguayan international is eager to move on from north London following a year with Atletico Madrid on loan.

Yet no offers have come in yet for the former Sampdoria star.

Indeed, Arsenal’s midfield will undertake a massive upheaval this summer. And Sanches would be an excellent addition based off his qualities and age.

However, Bayern’s interest in the midfielder will make things difficult for Arsenal.

And with a buy-back clause inserted in Sanches’ contract with Lille, the German side have a trump card they can use at their will that will make them favourites to sign the Portuguese star.