Arsenal and Lazio are in competition for the signing of Gelson Martins, with a five-year deal on the table, according to reports in Italy.

Corriere dello Sport claim Martins has received an offer worth €2.5m (£2.2m) per year after tax, with the two Europa League rivals in for him.

The hope is that the winger could join on a free transfer, after requesting to terminate his contract with Sporting CP. However, whichever club brought him in would presumably have to pay him or his agent a signing-on fee.

In the last month, the media have repeatedly linked Arsenal to a move for the player, with reports that the Portuguese club have already turned two €30m bids down.

After Sporting turned those bids down, Martins started the process to terminate his contract in Portugal. He invoked ‘just cause’, as a result of the recent training ground attack. That cause still needs to be proven in court before he’s officially released though.

With 26 goal contributions in 52 games from the wing last season, Martins would be a strong addition to the Arsenal squad. The club are currently lacking a winger like the 23-year-old, with pace, dribbling ability and skills. Let’s see if they can get a deal done in the coming weeks.