Cerro Portena defender Alexis Duarte is ’interested’ in a move to Arsenal after impressing the Premier League giants during a recent scouting mission in South America, as reported by Cronica.
Since hiring Edu Gaspar as their technical director a couple of years ago, Arsenal have made a habit of delving into the South American market in pursuit of exciting, up-and-coming talents.
Gabriel Martinelli, their £7 million ‘signing of the century’, is perhaps the most obvious example.
But Pablo Mari also arrived after a trophy-laden spell from Flamengo while the agent of Atletico Mineiro wonderkid Savinho confirmed Arsenal’s interest before Manchester City reached an agreement with the twinkle-toed winger.
Will Alexis Duarte join Arsenal?
Duarte appears to be the next on Arsenal’s hitlist.
The 22-year-old, a right-footed centre-half who plies his trade for Cerro Portena in the Paraguayan top-flight, was watched by Gunners scout Everton Gushiken during the recent 4-0 thrashing of Libertad.
Arsenal have reportedly been told that Duarte will set them back around £3 million. Hardly a bank-busting fee for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, especially with Cronica claiming that Duarte made a real impression on the London giants.
What’s more, Duarte is keen on a move that will make him only the ninth Paraguayan footballer ever to ply his trade in England’s first division, after Roque Santa Cruz, Fabian Balbuena and Miguel Almiron.
Duarte is likely to be viewed initially as a back-up option at the Emirates Stadium. Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes are firmly established as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice centre-back partnership after all.
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The Gunners also have the dependable Rob Holding in their ranks. Mari, however, could join Udinese on a permanent basis after moving on loan to the Serie A outfit in January.
“It’s the right championship for me. Very tactical,” the one-time Manchester City man tells Gazzetta dello Sport. “I like the battle on the pitch in Italy. I am very happy at Udinese.”
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