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Arsenal want Renato Sanches and he’s been compared to Lothar Matthaus in the past

Lee Connor

Sat 26 June 2021 21:15, UK

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Portuguese midfielder, Renato Sanches, and he’s not been short of praise in the past.

claimed yesterday that Sanches had emerged as a potential signing for the Gunners. The former Swansea loanees performances in Euro 2020 have been good, building on a solid year in Lille.

As reported on TBR, suggestions are that Arsenal have at least made contact with Sanches. Any deal would cost them a fair chunk of change, given the midfielder helped Lille to Ligue 1 success.

Sanches was something of a flop during his spell with Swansea. After moving to Bayern Munich, he never quite lived up to the hype.

But his move to Lille has been a revelation. And with his form for Portugal also good, there are signs that Sanches is about to fulfil his potential.

And that potential was something spotted all the way back in 2018 by his then Bayern manager, Nico Kovac.

Renato Sanches compared to a German legend by Kovac

Despite not being at his best in Munich, Sanches clearly did enough at times to leave an impression.

So much so, that Kovac compared his midfielder to German legend and World Cup winner, Lothar Matthaus.

“It’s true that people fly off him left and right – just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus,” Kovac told Sky Sports back in 2018.

“I’m delighted for Renato – I said yesterday that he was excellent in pre-season and it wouldn’t be long before he plays.”

Kovac isn’t the first player or coach to highlight Sanches’ qualities. Bayern teammate Niklas Sule was also full of praise. Speaking to Sule insisted that Sanches was often the ‘best in training’.

Of course, training and games are a different matter. But if Arsenal do land Sanches and they get the player so many think he can be, then Gunners fans can start to get excited.