According to reports, clubs Arsenal and Liverpool are close to sealing deals for a pair of attacking players as they bolster their front line in preparation for the upcoming Premier League season.
With the two clubs battling it out for Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez, it appears Arsenal will come out winners for his services, making a $55 million bid that’s reportedly been accepted.
With Lionel Messi, Neymar, and likely Luis Suarez at Barcelona’s disposal up front, Alexis Sanchez becomes excess and Arsenal will be thankful for their fortune.
Sanchez scored 19 goals in 34 La Liga appearances last season with the Catalans, but with the club disappointing compared to its fans’ standards, there is some restructuring taking place. He also impressed for Chile at the World Cup, scoring two goals and assisting another in four matches.
Liverpool were in heavily for Sanchez, but missing out, Benfica winger Lazar Markovic has reportedly had his $34 million release clause triggered by the Reds.
The two clubs have apparently been in talks for a few weeks over the 20-year-old winger, and seems to be a pretty good backup option.
Markovic made 26 appearances in the Primera Liga last season, scoring five goals and four assists for Benfica. He also made eight appearances in the club’s Europa League run which saw them make the final before falling to Sevilla in the finals.
He is jointly owned by Benfica (50%) and a third party in accordance with the sale by FK Partizan last year. Chelsea reportedly had the recent option to buy for around $20 million, which David Luiz - former Benfica teammates of the youngster - urged his former club to do, but they decided not to.
In addition, the Reds are looking to bring Belgian wonderkid Divock Origi to Anfield. The 19-year-old stepped in for a struggling Romelu Lukaku at the World Cup and did surprisingly well, despite only making Marc Wilmots’ roster thanks to Christian Benteke’s injury.
The fee is reportedly near $17 million. Origi currently plays for French club Lille.