Arsenal’s technical director Edu is spearheading the club’s attempts to sign Gremio winger Everton, according to reports in Brazil.

The Brazilian is said to have held talks with the player’s agent Gilmar Veloz before arriving in London last week to take up his new role with the Gunners.

Gremio will reportedly only consider offers north of €40m (£36m) for Everton as they only hold 50% of the player’s economic rights.

Whether that will put off the Gunners, it is not known, but the London club may have to move fast with it being reported that Atletico Madrid have already made a formal bid for the 23-year-old.

The La Liga side have a lot of cash to burn after the €120m sale of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona and are believed to have offered €35m (£31.4m), plus €10m (£9m) in add-ons for the winger.

However, Gremio’s president Romildo Bolzan has since denied receiving any offer, stating:

“It’s Gremio who frees him, if we have a proposal to evaluate, but the club has no proposal. The player may have received something and Gremio does not know yet.”

Manchester United, Napoli and Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested in Everton.