Don't wait 30 years - sign up for our daily football email newsletter today! Sign up Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The Gunners have also been long-term admirers of another of the Portuguese team’s Argentine aces, Nicolas Gaitan and may try for him if they miss out on Salvio.

Pressure is mounting on Arsene Wenger’s team to make a high-profi le signing, after being linked with Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain.

Salvio, 23, was in the Benfica team beaten in the Europa League Final by Chelsea.

Gaitan plays wide on the left, and Arsenal have been keeping tabs on the 26-year-old for a couple of years.