According to Cronica, Arsenal scout Everton Gushiken has been spotted in Paraguay watching Alexis Duarte and Julio Enciso.
What’s the story?
Well, Arsenal have found success in South America before in the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, and lighting could be about to strike twice.
Cronica believe Gushiken came to watch Duarte and Enciso, and was even made aware of how much their respective clubs value them at.
In Duarte’s case, Arsenal have been told to pay over $4m (£3m) to sign the young centre-back by Cerro Porteño, who have high hopes for the youngster.
Furthermore, Libertad have asked the Gunners to pay over $10m (£7.7m) to sign Enciso, a striker who appears to have a very bright future.
Cronica add that Gushiken attended Sunday’s clash between Cerro Porteño and Libertad at La Nueva Olla, where he was able to watch Duarte and Enciso directly up against each other.
Cerro Porteño and Duarte dominated the game, as they emphatically won 4-0.
Arsenal may have found gems in Alexis Duarte & Julio Enciso
In our view, Arsenal’s South American scouting team have stumbled across a couple of diamonds in the rough.
Duarte appears to be a fine defensive prospect, having already racked up 73 first-team appearances for Cerro Porteño at the age of 22.
Impressively, he has kept six clean sheets in nine Primera División appearances this season.
Elsewhere, Enciso also appears to be a huge prospect.
At the age of just 18, he has already won five caps for Paraguay, and has been in sensational scoring form this term.
Enciso has scored ten goals in just ten Primera División appearances this season, making a name for himself as one of the best forwards in the division.
A combined sum of £10.7m isn’t a lot for a club of Arsenal’s size, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Mikel Arteta and Edu make some bids this summer.
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