Arsenal are understood to be in the market for a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, having seen the Chile international join Manchester United in January, but the Gunners are set for disappointment in one particular chase.
Unai Emery’s side have been attributed with an interest in Sporting’s Portugal international Gelson Martins, who is poised to be one of a number of star players leaving the Portuguese giants after plenty of off-field controversy plagued the club’s campaign.
The Gunners were pursuing a potential bargain deal for the 23-year-old, who made one appearance at the World Cup for Portugal, but Record states the talented winger is poised to complete a transfer to join Atletico Madrid.
Martins scored eight goals and contributed a further eight assists in the league for Sporting last term, displaying his attacking flair, and will become another major coup for the Europa League winners – who have already signed another former Arsenal target this summer in Thomas Lemar.
