Mikel Arteta can pull off Arsenal's cunning transfer plan involving Vitinha and Man Utd

Arsenal are reportedly chasing Porto's Vitinha as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield, but the Spaniard may be able to land a long-term target by pursuing the former Wolves loanee

Arsenal rarely play mind games in the transfer market and have been accused of being too naive in the past, but Mikel Arteta can put an end to that this summer by using the club's reported interest in Vitinha to get one over Manchester United this summer.

Reports in Portugal have enlisted Manchester United as the favourites to sign Vitinha this summer, with a €40m (£35m) fee mooted. But it is Arsenal who are believed to have made the first transfer offer for the 22-year-old, with Arteta keen to add depth to his midfield this summer.

Porto president Pinto da Costa confirmed they had rejected a bid from an unnamed club as it did not meet their asking price: “There was a concrete offer, of considerable value, for Vitinha that we did not accept,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “And we refered them to the release clause, which is only way to take our player.”

But in their reported pursuit of the Portuguese playmaker, who currently plies his trade for Portuguese champions Porto, the Gunners boss can play a cunning game in conjuring a deal for the player he has targeted for the past two years: Ruben Neves.

With Arsenal lodging the opening offer for former Wolves loanee Vitinha, it could tempt Man United into joining them in a bidding war. And that would be an intelligent transfer play if Arteta, along with technical director Edu Gaspar, worked on a deal for Neves in the background.

Signing a quality midfielder is one of Arteta’s high priority objectives in the summer transfer window after Thomas Partey’s injury problems left them short of options in the middle of the park. And Neves, with 117 Premier League appearances under his belt at the age of just 25, certainly fits the bill.

He possesses the range of passing and composure that very few other players can exhibit and represents a significant upgrade on Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny. And with 30 caps for his country, his experience of playing at the Euros and the World Cup proves he can cut it at the top level.

Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season has inevitably narrowed the number of players who would be willing to move to the Emirates. But Neves’ desire to leave, coupled with Wolves' failure to qualify for Europe, gives the north London side a rare opportunity to agree a sensibly-priced deal for a top player at around £35m.

Of course, there is interest from elsewhere in Neves due to his impressive and consistent performances. Barcelona were thought to be leading the race for the Portugal international, while United are also monitoring the situation as they have two midfield spots to fill this summer. But given their current negotiations over Frenkie de Jong, it could hand Arsenal pole position to negotiate a deal for Neves.

Have Your Say! Should Arsenal try to sign Ruben Neves this summer or his international team-mate Vitinha? Comment below.

While it would not be the first time a club has put together one potential deal to ensure they are unrivalled in their pursuit of another, Arsenal have too often been left with an egg on their face. But in landing a coveted player who could improve Arteta's squad, this may be the stroke of genius that could prove decisive in next season's top-four battle.

Vitinha would no doubt prove to be a welcome addition for Arsenal if their interest is genuine after thriving in Porto's title victory. But there is an element of risk given that the attacking midfielder’s spell at Molineux was too short to conclude whether he would be a success in the Premier League.

The same cannot be said about Neves, who enjoys a stellar reputation as one of the best midfielders in England. And if Arsenal can pull off a deal under United’s nose, it would go down as a rare victory in the transfer market for the club.