Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Renato Sanches and Ryan Sessegnon Rumours

Arsenal's interest in Benfica anchorman Renato Sanches appears to be as fervent as ever after the Gunners sent more scouts to watch the Portugal international this week. Plus, Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon is also grabbing the club's attention.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported Arsenal had representatives in attendance at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, where Benfica drew 2-2 against Bayern Munich, losing their UEFA Champions League quarter-final 3-2 on aggregate (h/t Sport Witness).

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Sanches has made an astonishing surge into the Eagles' first team this season, earning his debut in October and quickly rising to prominence in Lisbon, with Manchester United also in the running for his services, according to A Bola.

The teenager was part of a Benfica team that only just missed out on the Champions League semi-finals, and the competition's official Twitter account hailed his role as a crucial member of the team prior to Wednesday's draw:

Arsenal are set to see a void open up in their midfield, with Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini reaching the end of their contracts.

Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere's injury woes have prevented him from featuring this season.

Despite Sanches' swift progress this season, Benfica manager Rui Vitoria recently suggested Sanches may not be allowed to leave the club this summer, per Metro's Jan Hagen:

The Gunners signed Mohamed Elneny during the January transfer window to make up for the injury absences of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla, but Sanches is showing the kind of promise that could make him an elite asset.

Arsenal will be hard-pressed to trump United's financial muscle, however, after the Mirror's Colin Millar provided a glimpse at A Bola's front page, which attested to the Red Devils being front-runners for Sanches:

Elsewhere, the north Londoners are reportedly set to battle against Premier League rivals Liverpool for Fulham teenager Sessegnon, according to the Mirror's John Cross.

Cross added the Gunners attempted to sign Sessegnon in a £3 million deal on transfer deadline day in January, where they are said to have offered German winger Serge Gnabry on loan as part of the deal.

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Sessegnon, 15, has scored three goals in six appearances for England's under-16s—where he serves as captain—and has started making moves into the under-17 setup following his progress at Craven Cottage.

According to Cross, Fulham "do not want to sell" the Arsenal and Liverpool target, who can play left wing or at left-back, but the pressure of two top-flight giants could tempt Sessegnon into a move.