The Gunners to beat their rivals to Pereira.
Arsenal have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Benfica right-back Maxi Pereira, according to CaughtOffside.
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The 30-year-old is currently in the last year of his current contract at the Estadio da Luz and will therefore be free to discuss terms with foreign clubs in January.
The Reds have identified the Uruguay international as the ideal replacement for the out of form Glen Johnson – who’s current deal also expires next summer.
Johnson’s hefty wages, coupled with his drop in form and injury problems means the England international is unlikely to be offered an extension by the Merseysiders.
Therefore Brendan Rodgers wants some experienced support for younger options Jon Flanagan and Javier Manquillo and thought Pereira would suit that role perfectly.
However, it has emerged that Arsene Wenger is also an admirer of the South American and will try and tempt him to the Emirates Stadium instead.
Although Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy were signed as right-back options over the summer, Wenger views Chambers as more of a central defender and Debuchy is currently injured; meaning Pereira could well have an important role to play should he sign for the North Londoners.
READ MORE: Arsenal transfer news.
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