Mundo Deportivo have claimed that Arsenal are among the clubs interested in signing Velez Sarsfield’s Thiago Almada this summer.
The 19-year-old has been making huge strides in Argentina and has caught the attention of multiple top clubs.
The Gunners are allegedly joined by fellow Premier League side Manchester City and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the race for the Argentine, which will make things very interesting.
Almada has five goals and two assists to his name this season in just 12 starts. Velez Sarsfield are not willing to part ways with their teenage sensation unless his release clause is met.
The teenager has a termination clause of £19.3 million which will rise to £22 million on 31 August.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is likely to have watched Almada before due to Manchester City’s previous interest in him.
The Sun reported in April last year that Pep Guardiola’s side were interested in signing the Argentine, who was dubbed the new Lionel Messi.
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal are prepared to fork out around £20 million on a teenager this summer considering the financial problems that they, like most other clubs, are bound to face.
However, Edu’s influence in South American football could come in handy now, which could sway the deal Arsenal’s way.
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