ARSENAL are interested in signing AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, according to reports.
But they face competition from Newcastle for his signature.
According to Fichajes, the Gunners hope to secure a deal to land Leao when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
Leao, 22, usually operates as a left-winger but can also play centrally as a No9.
He is gaining plenty of attention this season thanks to ten goals and six assists in 27 appearances across all competitions.
His strike against Sampdoria this weekend, assisted by his goalkeeper, sent the Rossoneri top of the Serie A table.
The Portuguese international came through the youth ranks with Sporting Lisbon before one year with Lille.
He joined AC Milan in 2019 and is under contract at the San Siro until 2024.
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The three-cap rising star is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who also looks after Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other Premier League stars.
Manchester City were linked with Leao way back in 2018 before Everton and Wolves were told to fork out £50million for him last year.
Arsenal are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
They allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave on a free transfer to Barcelona last month.
That leaves just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as their only recognised centre-forwards.
The pair, who have three and zero Premier League goals respectively this term, are both out of contract at the Emirates in four months.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will be hoping to bolster their squad with more big-money signings if they avoid relegation.
The new Saudi owners splashed the cash in January to boost the survival bid and want to continue their project towards trophies and European football.
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