Arsenal fear missing out on PSG youngster Adil Aouchiche, per The Daily Mail.
The Gunners are said to have expressed an interest in snapping up the wonderkid, who is just 17 but has already made three appearances for the club’s first-team.
He has yet to sign a professional contract with the French club, though, and could be available on the cheap in the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal, per the report, are keen on snapping up his signature, as manager Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the attacking midfielder.
Leicester City have also been linked with an interest, while PSG are desperate to convince him to stay.
However, it is the interest of St-Etienne that is said to worry the Gunners; they fear that the French club’s track record of developing youth could see them win the race.
Aouchiche only wants a wage of £22,000-per-week, while any signing-on fee would cost around £3.6 million.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Arsenal need to be looking at ready-made players.
They have consistently looked to the younger side of the market, particularly under former boss Arsene Wenger, but they have endured a dismal return to Premier League action, which has only sharpened the focus on the need for proper solutions.
They have lost to both Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion, leaving them in serious danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Thus, a move for a 17-year-old midfielder feels superfluous at this time, unless it is coupled with deals for some players who will end up being first-team stars.
Aouchiche is just not the player they need at this point.