Arsenal Challenged By Benfica For Belgian Wonderkid

Arsenal have a new rival for long-term striker target Michy Batshuayi in the shape of Portuguese giants Benfica, who according to A Bola are lining up the Belgian prodigy as a potential replacement for Rodrigo and are considering a January bid.

Batshuayi has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks following a breakthrough campaign in Belgium with Standard Liege, which has seen the 20-year-old score 14 goals in 21 Jupiler League matches.

The Gunners are one of a whole host of European giants looking at the marksman, who is believed to be available for around £7m as both Arsenal and Everton consider a January swoop.

While Arsenal ponder a potential move Benfica are believed to have registered their interest in the powerful young forward, as they consider alternatives if a proposed deal which will see Rodrigo leave the Estadio da Luz for either Liverpool or Zenit St Petersburg.

Benfica are yet to register a formal bid but are thought to have made Batshuayi a top transfer target and have money to spend, following the £20m sale of Nemanja Matic to Chelsea earlier this week.

Liege meanwhile would like to keep the marksman until at least this summer but a resigned to eventually losing their prized asset, as Europe's leading lights once again look to harness young talent emerging from the Jupiler League.