We’ve carried several reports recently discussing Arsenal’s interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes.

The Portuguese international arrived at the Camp Nou from Valencia and has struggled to get regular playing time under Ernesto Valverde, and also struggled to impress when he has got on the pitch.

Catalan newspaper Sport reported on Tuesday that Barcelona are willing to allow the 24-year-old to leave the club in the summer transfer window, if they receive an offer of €20m including bonuses.

Today’s edition of the same publication reports that talks have started between Barca and Arsenal, with the La Liga champions taking the step and contacting the Gunners after hearing of their interest.

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Arsenal don’t want to go as high as €20m for the midfielder, according to Sport, whilst his former club Valencia have been looking for loan which has received a straight ‘no’.

Barcelona’s objective is to finalise the transfer this week, which sounds ambitious but is still being presented as a possibility. On this front, talks are said to be continuing with Arsenal on the basis of a set fee plus bonuses.

It’s not so long ago that Gomes had a price-tag of over €30m, and depending on how interested Arsenal are, and how far they can get a guaranteed fee down from €20m, this may be worth a gamble.

Right now this feels very much like Barca trying to sell Gomes to Arsenal, and do so quickly.