Arsenal are reportedly competing with Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco for Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira.

The defensive midfielder is currently playing for Portuguese Primeira Liga leaders FC Porto, and has been a regular in the starting line up this season, missing just one league game through suspension.

Calciomercato write that Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Arsenal are all interested in the 26-year-old. It’s not the first time Arsenal have been linked with him, as the Gunners reportedly showed an interest last January and in the summer.

Porto increased the length of Danilo’s contract to fend off interest from abroad, and increased his release clause to £54m. The asking price may prove a stumbling block given Arsenal’s financial situation, however.

The Gunners still don’t really have a dedicated defensive midfielder, apart from perhaps Francis Coquelin. But Pereira offers more of a physical presence than Coquelin, especially in the air, and is better on the ball as well, in my opinion.

In the current system, Arsenal are playing two box-to-box midfielders, so it’s not clear that Pereira would fit into the side anyway. If Arsène was willing to change formation, then perhaps spending over £50m on the midfielder could be justified.