Arsenal are one step closer to securing the services of Barcelona academy star Joel Lopez as the left-back declined a contract extension in Spain and informed them of his decision to move to north London, reports Sport.
The Spanish publication state that Gunners boss Unai Emery is set to make Lopez his second academy player signed this year, having reportedly already agreed to terms with PSG’s Yacine Adli, as the teenager was persuaded by the prospect of the chance to progress quickly in London.
Arsenal are not reported to part ways with any major sum of cash for the Barcelona under-16 star, and will instead only have to pay a compensation fee to the Catalan based outfit, who tried desperately to keep the left-back.
Good move for Arsenal?
Yes.
Once again Unai Emery is indicating that he is thinking about Arsenal’s future, and changing the ‘win-now’ mentality that so clearly is not achievable.
The fact that he will once again not have to pay out, having secured Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer, as well as a compensation fee for Adli, represents good transfer business that can only benefit the team.
It is unlikely that Lopez will feature immediately, but he has been offered an ‘attractive sporting project’, and the chance to develop, which could indicate a loan spell away from the club to earn minutes.
This is Futbol rating – 8/10
Likely to happen?
It certainly seems so.
It has been reported that Lopez has been a target of Arsenal’s for a few months, preceded Emery’s tenure, which shows that this one could have came from higher up.
The player is no longer under contract in Spain, and there will not be time-consuming negotiations over a transfer sum, and the player has already communicated his decision to club officials.
With Emery, Arsenal are an attractive team to young players, as during his time at PSG he gifted a number of academy players their first team debut.
This is Futbol rating – 7/10