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Arsenal 'quoted £35m for Benfica defender Ruben Dias'

Benfica reportedly set Ruben Dias's asking price at £35m amid interest from Arsenal.

Benfica have reportedly slapped a £35m price tag on defender Ruben Dias amid interest from Arsenal.

The Gunners are expected to recruit a centre-back this summer to replace the retiring Per Mertesacker, and the 20-year-old is said to be among manager Arsene Wenger's top targets.

According to Record, the Portuguese outfit are unwilling to let Dias leave for less than £35m, but could hold out for an offer which triggers his £52.5m release clause should a bidding war begin.

Arsenal are said to have sent scouts to the Estadio da Luz to watch the Portugal Under-21 international, who began his career with Benfica's B team in 2015, in action.

The Gunners could be forced to recruit more than one central defender this summer, with Laurent Koscielny turning 33 this year and continuing to struggle with persistent injuries.

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Mark Langshaw
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General view outside The Emirates ahead of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Chelsea on January 3, 2018
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1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
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9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
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16Everton153661421-715
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18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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