Arsenal could look to take advantage of Lille’s financial problems by signing Renato Sanches this summer – if they can’t land James Maddison.

The Daily Mail report that Renato Sanches is a target for Arsenal this summer if they fail to sign James Maddison. As we know, the Gunners have a strong relationship with Lille, having signed Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Magalhaes from the Ligue 1 side.

Due to the current financial difficulties faced by French clubs, Lille would be open to selling.

There’s been some confusion on social media over this report, as Sanches and Maddison obviously don’t play the same position in midfield. Maddison usually starts in a significantly more advanced role, so Arsenal fans are asking why it would be one or the other.

But it may not be the case that Sanches and Maddison represent Arsenal’s two targets for one spot. It’s possible they’re just two deals the Gunners are keen to do this summer, and they can only afford to complete one of them.

The reality is that Arsenal need a major signing in a box-to-box midfield role and one as a playmaker as well. If they can’t afford to address both positions in one window, they may have to settle for whichever deal they can do.

Previous reports from France suggested Arsenal and Liverpool were both very interested in Sanches this summer.