Arsenal have been linked with several midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, and could even attempt to sign multiple players in the position.
Mikel Arteta is well stocked with midfielders now, but Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Charlie Patino and Emile Smith Rowe have all been linked with exits.
Martin Zubimendi has been touted as an option this summer, with Arteta a huge fan of the player, but exits, as well as the fact that Kai Havertz appears more comfortable as a striker than in midfield, could mean the club targets a number eight.
Arsenal could look towards a younger profile of player for the position, and were previously linked with rising Benfica star Joao Neves.
The 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Lisbon, and he is now ranking alongside some of the best under-23 players in the world.
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Arsenal target Joao Neves value has increased
Player valuation company Football Observatory has now revealed that since October, Joao Neves’ value has increased by €73m (£62m), a total only bettered by Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal when it comes to under-23 players across the world.
This ranks Neves as the eighth most valuable under-23 player in the world, ahead of Arsenal target Evan Ferguson and Liverpool star Harvey Elliott.
They now rank his value at €105m (£90m), but Benfica value him even higher, with previous reports suggesting that Arsenal would have to pay close to the £105m (€120m) Benfica received for Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.
At 19, Neves is already a Portugal International, and has scored four and assisted 3 times in 69 senior appearances for Benfica.
Should Arsenal sign Joao Neves from Benfica?
A highly technical central midfielder both comfortable on the ball and strong at progressing it higher up the pitch, Neves would be an excellent long-term option to have in the squad.
However, unless his price tag could be significantly reduced, it is too high a fee as it resembles a huge risk in the market, in a position where Arsenal are not currently desperate for options.
Fernandez has struggled at Chelsea since his record move from Benfica, and putting too much pressure on a player as raw as Neves by buying him at such a high price could be detrimental at this point in his career, despite his obvious talent.
Unless there are surprise departures, one more midfielder, which looks likely to be Zubimendi, will be enough for Arsenal this summer, even if they do end up missing the opportunity to sign a talent like Neves.