Arsenal are expected to move “quickly” to sign Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo if and when they lose out on Lisandro Martinez, according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.

Manchester United are expected to wrap up a deal for the Ajax defender soon, and Jacobs claims that the Gunners have already lined up a cheaper alternative:

“Arsenal are in negotiations with Benfica over Alex Grimaldo. He’s a budget option that could be available for under seven million. Expect Arsenal to move pretty quickly on Grimaldo if they miss out on Lisandro Martinez.”

Reports in the Portuguese media have been linking Grimaldo with a move to the Emirates over the past week or so, and it appears that Mikel Arteta’s side will make a formal approach for the Spaniard sooner rather than later.

The fullback is available for such a low price because he has less than a year left on his contract at Benfica, and he hasn’t given any indication that he will sign an extension.

Considering Martinez is likely to cost at least £43m, Grimaldo could be brought in for just a sixth of that figure. It could be a very smart piece of business.