
If Arsenal sign Joelson Fernandes, what a coup it could be.
A Bola in Portugal reported on Thursday that the Gunners had held talks about signing the Sporting Lisbon gem on Wednesday.
Joelson has a £41 million release clause in his Sporting deal but Arsenal are reportedly willing to match it.
Spending so much on a relative unknown and unproven quantity is a risk and it would be quite an impressive move for the North Londoners.
But it may also be a huge piece of business because Barcelona are seemingly one of the clubs they’re rivalling.
According to Mundo Deportivo today, Barca are still in the race but the club’s hierarchy believe that Arsenal are winning the race for the 17-year-old sensation.
This certainly tallies with what was coming out of Portugal earlier in the week and maybe, just maybe, Mikel Arteta could be taking him to the Emirates Stadium very soon.
The teenage winger, who doesn’t turn 18 until February, has scored five goals and set up two in 28 Liga appearances for the Portuguese giants this season.

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