The transfer window has only recently closed, but The Gunners are already picking up fresh links to new players. Take, for instance, The Metro‘s claim that The Gunners are hot on the trail of Barcelona forward, Munir El-Haddadi
Up until Munir was 14-years-old he supported Real Madrid. But in 2011, he was snapped up by Barcelona, so he changed his allegiances. Perhaps The Gunners can make him switch his allegiances once again.
Munir’s record for the Barcelona B team is pretty good. He’s played 11 games and has found the back of the net 4 times. In the UEFA Youth League last season, he scored a remarkable 11 goals in 10 games. He’s clearly a player to keep your eye on.
What’s especially impressive about Munir, is the fact that he continues to be offered opportunities at the top level of the game. He may only be 19-years-old, but he’s already made 3 appearances for the Barcelona first team (he scored a goal against Girona FC last April) and he’s recently earned a cap for the Spanish international side.
If he’s achieved all of this at a young age, how good will he be by the end of his next big contract? It’s a little scary to consider.
With all this in mind, it makes sense that Arsenal should be interested. He’s clearly got a huge future ahead of him, so getting in on the ground floor (whilst he’s still young and affordable) looks like the smart move. Whether Barcelona will be prepared to sell, however, is another matter. Why would they let him go when he’s clearly so talented?
As it happens, they may not have a choice in the matter. The Metro note that he has a £9.4m release clause written into his current contract, which The Gunners are hoping to trigger in the January transfer window. All they need to do is convince the youngster to take the plunge and move to a new club.
Perhaps Arsene Wenger can point to Cesc Fabregas as evidence that his club provides young talent with an opportunity to prove themselves. Let’s just hope that it’s enough to convince Munir that The Emirates is the right place for him at this stage in his career.
What’s your take? Should The Gunners really be chasing another Barcelona youngster?
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