Arsenal scouts have been raving about Vasco Da Gama forward Rayan, according to reports in the Brazilian media.
A Gunners representative was believed to be in the stands for the game against Fluminense on Monday to watch the 19-year-old in action.
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Rayan got on the scoresheet, scoring the opener during a 2-0 win and NTVASCAINO reports that the teenager made such a good impression that a scout “called” up a club director at 1 AM following the match.
They claim that Arsenal are “enchanted” by the prospect of securing the Brazilian Under 20 international’s signature.
What do fans need to know about Rayan?
The youngster came through Vasco Da Gama’s academy and he made his senior debut for the Brazilian club in a Carioca State Championship match against Audax Rio de Janeiro in January 2023.
Rayan grabbed the headlines when he subsequently scored on his first start against Internacional six months later.
However, the player only really began to find the back of the net on a regular basis at the start of this year. This campaign, he has scored 16 times in 46 appearances.
Rayan is usually deployed on the right-hand side of a front three but he has been selected as a centre-forward in recent games.
Arsenal are not the only team interested in the winger
Rayan’s form has led to several European clubs keeping tabs on his progress. Chelsea, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Roma and AC Milan are among his suitors.
Vasco Da Gama have reportedly already rejected offers from teams in the Middle East, Russia and Portugal. The forward does have a €40m (£35m) release clause but there is an expectation that he will be offloaded for slightly below that figure.
A fee between €25m (£22m) and €30m (£26m) is likely to be accepted either during the January transfer window or at the end of the season.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here