Arsenal have entered the race to sign Sporting
Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, according to the player's
agent.
The Portugal international has courted interest from a
number of top clubs around Europe, with Manchester United as well
as Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus linked with the
player.
Veloso's agent, Paulo Barbosa, has revealed Arsenal have added
their name to that list after contacting him about the 22-year-old
midfielder.
"Actually, we did not have normal contact from the Arsenal
board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club," said
Barbosa.
"At the moment there is not a formal offer yet, but it is
possible that will happen soon as Juventus and AC Milan have shown
an equal interest in the player."
A potential stumbling block in the sale of Veloso is the fact he
has a contract with Sporting until 2013, although the player
claimed earlier this month that he is open to offers to move
abroad.
And Barbosa believes Sporting are willing to sell one of the
most prized assets if the price is right.
He added: "He (Veloso) is on holiday, now. Sporting Lisbon has
not commented just yet, but until a formal offer is made that is
perfectly normal.
"As long as there is a good offer for both parties - the club
and Veloso - then negotiation can be done for sure.
"It is not secret to anyone that he wants to play abroad."
Reports suggest that Sporting Lisbon have set a 30 million euros
buy-out clause in Veloso's contract. Despite that, Barbosa does not
believe the club will stand in the way of a young player leaving
the club.
Sporting have already shown a willingness to sell their best
young talent following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani
to Manchester United in recent seasons.
"The buy-out clause is another issue," Barbosa added. "If they
argue that value that would mean the youngsters would never the
club."