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Arsenal to table fresh offer for £40m star, officials to fly-out for talks this week

By on August 4, 2020

According to reports in Portugal via the Express, Arsenal officials will fly to Portugal this week to try and thrash out a deal for £40m-rated Sporting Lisbon attacker Joelson Fernandes.

Mikel Arteta knows he needs to add more creativity to his squad this summer and we’ve been linked with a number of players in recent weeks including experienced names such as Willian and Philippe Coutinho.

However, it appears the boss is also eyeing a younger prospect as the Express are citing a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola that claims Arsenal are trying to land highly-rated attacker Joelson Fernandes.

The 17-year-old has been touted as one of the hottest talents in Portuguese football after breaking into the Sporting Lisbon first team set-up this season and he’s drawn comparisons with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.

It’s claimed in the report that Arsenal will send club officials out to Lisbon this week where they’ll hold a series of meetings to try and thrash out a deal with Sporting after seeing an opening £18m offer rejected.

A Bola, via the Express, says Joelson has a release clause of £40m in his contract and Arsenal are ready to test Sporting resolve with an improved second offer – but it’s not made clear how much we’ll put on the table.

The newspaper says Arsenal will hold talks with teenagers agent Kia Joorabchian – who has close links with the club – and his father in the hope of persuading the player to come to north London.

Arteta should have money to spend after securing Europa League football following victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday but I’d personally be shocked if Arsenal spent serious money on a 17-year-old.

Finances are still going to be extremely tight and it looks as though we’re closing in on a deal for Willian, if reports are to be believed, while we already have exciting young attackers such as Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson in the squad.

Arsenal also desperately need to strengthen in midfield and defence, as well as bring in a top class playmaker, so I’m not sure it makes much sense splashing a large chunk of our budget on a teenage winger right now.

I’m sure Joelson is a big talent and he may go on to have a huge future but right now, he’s probably a risk Arsenal cannot afford to take.

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