Arsenal are preparing a 20 million pound bid for Porto defender Ricardo Pereira, according to the Daily Star.
The 23-year-old utility full-back has impressed on loan at French Ligue 1 side, Nice, this season and has been described as one of the best defenders in the division.
ice have had a stunning campaign so far, topping the division by two clear points, ahead of both Monaco and holders Paris Saint Germain.
Pereira, who can play left or right back, was left out of the Portuguese Euro 2016 winning side in the summer but has earned rave reviews after improving dramatically on last year’s performances.
It is believed that Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, wants someone to rival Hector Bellerin in the right back role. Pereira is also likely to replace Mathieu Debuchy, who has fallen out of favour with Wenger.
Another right-back at the club, Carl Jenkinson, looks set to leave on loan in January, with Crystal Palace keen on securing his signature. So Pereira is a player who can potentially fill the holes left by both Jenkinson and Debuchy.
