Arsenal Transfer News: Kostas Mitroglou, Joao Mario, Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly looking at Benfica striker Kostas Mitroglou and are hoping to open negotiations with his parent club Fulham, while the Gunners are also planning a move for Sporting midfielder Joao Mario. 

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola (h/t Metro's Mark Brus), Mitroglou is close to a permanent deal with Benfica, but Arsenal have held talks with Fulham about a possible move. Sport Witness' Lucas Sposito adds it would take a “very good” offer for the Greek to change his mind, citing A Bola.

The 28-year-old was something of a flop in west London, failing to score once in the Premier League while he was with Fulham, but he has rediscovered his best form in Portugal and has scored 18 goals in 27 total appearances in the Liga Sagres, per WhoScored.com.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Mitroglou moved to the Premier League with a fantastic reputation as a pure scorer in 2014, but it quickly became apparent his scoring form didn't hold once he made the step up from the relatively easy Greek league.

It shouldn't come as a major surprise he has found success once again in Portugal, another league that tends to favour attackers. Jackson Martinez dominated the Portuguese scoring charts for years and looked like a top striker when he moved to Atletico Madrid, a club where he lasted just half of a season.

FRANCISCO LEONG/Getty Images

This year's top scorer is Jonas, who managed a solid 13 goals in La Liga for Valencia during the 2012-13 campaign. Per WhoScored.com, he has already bagged 30 in the Portuguese league this season.

Per Jan Hagen of Sport Witness, Mitroglou isn't the type of player Arsenal should be looking at:

Mitroglou certainly isn't a bad player, and he was barely given a fair chance to prove himself during his time at Fulham. But the Greece international would be a squad player at best at the Emirates Stadium, and the Gunners need to find a top player to lead their atack―not yet another body to throw into the mix.

Mitroglou also seems perfectly happy in Portugal, so convincing him to leave Benfica for a return to London might not be as simple as you'd expect.

Meanwhile, Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb's Luca Bargellini (h/t the Daily Star's Jamie Styles) reported Arsenal will try to “hijack” Manchester United's move for Mario, the 23-year-old midfielder who has enjoyed a phenomenal breakout campaign with Sporting.

Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

While youngsters like Benfica's Renato Sanches and Sporting's William Carvalho have stolen the international spotlights as prime transfer targets the last few years, Mario has arguably been the best midfielder in Portugal, routinely outshining the duo.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe is a big fan:

Unlike Carvalho, who is limited to a role as a holding midfielder, and Sanches, whose value is built around potential, Mario is already an impact contributor who looks ready to hold his own even on the highest level.

Per the report, his release clause sits at £55 million, a clear indication of how highly he's valued by his current club.

Here's a look at his highlights:

With the likes of Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny already in the squad, Arsenal don't need another high-energy midfielder, but Mario is too talented to simply walk away from. The Portugal international has the potential to be a world-class player in the near future, and nobody would pass up the opportunity to sign such a talent, whether they needed him or not.

The £55 million fee is steep, however, and Sporting are expected to fight tooth and nail to keep him at the club. At this point in time, even Carvalho seems more likely to leave Lisbon than his midfield partner.

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