Arsenal are considering Lille midfielder Renato Sanches as a backup option to Leicester’s James Maddison, according to reports in the UK.
The Gunners have an excellent relationship with Lille, following deals for Gabriel and Nicolas Pepe in the last two summers, and it seems they are now keeping tabs on Sanchez as well.
While fans on Twitter would welcome Sanches to the Emirates, many don’t believe he would be a like-for-like alternative to Maddison:
Take him instead of Madison
— Sam Samuels (@SamSamu72159539) July 21, 2021
But this Guy is CDM
— iSaac Tembo ?? ? (@isaactembo7th) July 21, 2021
This doesn’t make any sense.
— Rohith suresh (@Joined_4_gene) July 21, 2021
From Madison to Sanches.. worst plan B in the history of football
— Talibbro (@Talibbro1) July 21, 2021
Totally different players. Good alternative to Locatelli though
— Kedar Sawant (@KedarSawant333) July 21, 2021
Sanches is much better than Maddison. Not even close.
— dxnglish (@dxnglish) July 21, 2021
He isnt even a final third player although both have similar injury history of that is what you mean by similar
— Marauding Mikel (@ArtetaBall69) July 21, 2021
Sanches > Maddison
— Junaid (@WengerBall_) July 21, 2021
Renato and maddison different position
— Anharbaehaqi (@Shinreihotaru) July 21, 2021
Different player but get him to the carpet absolute baller
— J.AFC? #kroenkeout (@J_AFC14) July 21, 2021
Supporters are right to point out that Sanches and Maddison are very different players. The Portuguese international prefers to play in a much deeper role and would more than likely be seen as a replacement for Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss international is expected to leave the Gunners for Roma, if a compromise over a transfer fee can be reached, and Sanches, along with Wolves’ Ruben Neves, Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli and Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez have all been mentioned as possible successors.
