Arsenal are set to sign Benfica left back Nuno Tavares after agreeing a £6.5m deal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta sees the 21-year-old as ideal back-up for Kieran Tierney.
The Gunners pursued him after considering Ryan Bertrand, but the former England international, who has left Southampton after seeing his contract expire, looks set to join Leicester on a free transfer.
Signing a left-back has been a priority for Arteta and sporting director Edu ever since the January transfer window, when they allowed Sead Kolasinac to rejoin Schalke on loan - while also sending Ainsley Maitland-Niles, to West Brom.
Those moves left the club light late in the campaign, meaning that when Tierney suffered an injury at the beginning of April, they were left without a recognised left-back in some games; Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka were among those who deputised.
Tavares came through Benfica's youth ranks and played for their B team, before making 41 appearances for the senior side.
He made 14 league appearances last season plus five more in the Europa League.
Arsenal are busy in the market this summer as they are also pursuing a move for Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale and are closing in on Anderlecht midfielder Sambi Lokonga.
He is expected to cost in the region of £17million.
Brighton and England defender Ben White is also high on their list of priorities, while they are continuing to attempt to fend off Aston Villa’s advances for Emile Smith Rowe.
The England Under-21 international is wanted by the Villans, but Arsenal are hoping to sign him to a new contract.
