Edu could seal Arteta's "perfect" signing as Arsenal join race for "special" £40m ace....

Arsenal have joined the race to bring Pedro Porro to the Premier League in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report by Portuguese publication O Jogo (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite Tottenham Hotspur having been heavily linked with a move for the Sporting Lisbon right-back this month, both Arsenal and Chelsea have now joined the pursuit to sign the 23-year-old defender – who possesses a €45m (£40m) release clause.

The report goes on to state that Mikel Arteta ‘likes his characteristics’ as his playing style matches up with the Spaniard’s tactical setup at The Emirates, while it is also suggested that, despite Spurs’ strong links with a move for the Spain international, with Sporting demanding his release clause is met, all three clubs have an equal chance of landing Porro.

Considering just how attack-minded a right-back Porro has very much proven himself to be in recent seasons, coupled with the extraordinary form the 23-year-old has demonstrated in Portugal, it is not difficult to understand why Arteta would be interested in a move for the Sporting star in January.

Indeed, over his 23 Liga Portugal appearances in 2021/22, the £22m-rated talent was in fantastic form going forwards, scoring four goals, registering four assists and creating 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.6 shots, making 2.0 key passes and completing 1.4 dribbles per game.

The full-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his position last time out, making an average of 1.8 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, one clearance and winning 5.3 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per match.

These returns saw the Spaniard average a quite breathtaking Sofascore match rating of 7.28, not only ranking him as Ruben Amorim’s second-best performer in the league but also as the 12th-best player in the top flight of Portuguese football as a whole.

Porro has been in similarly fine attacking form over his 12 league outings so far this season, with the £10k-per-week defender having already scored one goal, provided five assists and created six big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.6 shots, making 2.2 key passes and completing one dribble per fixture.

At the back, the 23-year-old has also made an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.8 clearances and has won 4.5 duels – at a success rate of 50% – per outing.