Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'to rival Manchester United' for Benfica's Goncalo Guedes

Benfica's £50m valuation could be enough to scare off Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger is seeking to meet with their president to discuss a move, according to reports in Portugal

Goncalo Guedes is attracting reported interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United (Getty)

Manchester United will face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal in their efforts to sign teenage sensation Goncalo Guedes next summer after Arsene Wenger privately expressed an interest in signing the Benfica prospect, according to reports.

It emerged earlier in the week that United were monitoring the 19-year-old and had sent scouts to watch him in action for Benfica before the international break with a view to launching a summer bid to try and sign him.

But with two caps for Portugal already to his name, Guedes is rated incredibly highly by the reigning Portuguese champions, and will hold out for more than £50m before allowing the youngster to leave should a club come calling in the transfer window.

However, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, that club may not be United alone. The report suggests that Arsenal will look to try and sign Guedes from under the nose of their rivals, with Wenger looking to meet with Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira over the possibility of a future move.

The problem for Arsenal is that Guedes is tied down to Benfica until 2021, and with the new Premier League broadcast deal resulting in clubs demanding more money from English sides in the transfer market, Guedes’s asking price has been set at an eye-watering fee in order to capitalise on the investment Benfica have put into him.

Arsenal have shown interest in Guedes in the past but a €50m valuation put them off a move last January, and after he helped the Lisbon side retain the Portuguese Supa Liga last season to clinch a third consecutive title, his worth is more than ever to the club.