Renato Sanches, the Lille midfielder who has been linked with Arsenal, has stated that he is ‘ready’ to leave the French club.

The Portuguese midfielder has long been linked with a return to a prominent European club following his impressive season in France, where he assisted Lille in winning Ligue 1 last season.

Arsenal and Liverpool are just two of the clubs around Europe connected with a January or summer deal for the 24-year-old.

Now in an interview since those links, Sanches has addressed the speculation by saying: “Maybe Milan and Arsenal are interested but I don’t know. I spoke with my agent, I know which clubs are calling me but I can’t say right now.

“But I know I’m ready. If an offer comes in, I’ll find out what’s best for me.”

Sanches struggled to adjust to life in Germany after joining Bayern Munich from Benfica at the age of 18 for about £31.5 million, and he was then loaned to Swansea City in 2017.

Lille then signed him from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2019 for roughly £18 million, following a tough loan stint in Wales.

Lille are currently suffering in Ligue 1 and are said to be prepared to let Sanches leave if the appropriate deal comes in. His contract expires in the summer of 2023.