Arsenal and Barcelona are reportedly battling to sign a French wonderkid whose been dubbed ‘the next Giroud’.
The mood around the Emirates as about as good as it can be at the moment, with Arsenal on top of the Premier League table, clear of second-placed Bournemouth by four points. They turn their attention to the Carabao Cup this week with a game against Brighton, hoping to get to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Most Read on Gooner News
However, the January transfer window will also be a focus for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, as teams begin planning for the January window as soon as the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.
Arsenal are unlikely to make any major signings in January because they spent over £250m on new players in the summer. However, they will be looking to bring in some young talent who can be future stars for Arteta like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman.
Arsenal and Barcelona battling for ‘the next Giroud’
The Gunners have reportedly scouted a 15-year-old wonderkid from France, and his name is Lacine Megnan-Pave. He plays for Montpellier’s academy, and has reportedly been attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the 15-year-old striker has been scouted by several clubs including Arsenal and Barcelona, with both clubs very keen to sign him in the January window. It is understood that Barca are ‘ahead’ of Arsenal in the race for Megnan-Pave, but the Gunners remain very keen.
He is currently performing well in the infamous Montpellier academy system, having made six appearances for the U19s this season, scoring two goals. The French media suggest that he could become a future starter for the France National team, and it is no wonder, because one of the most famous products of Montpellier’s academy is Olivier Giroud.
Giroud is the France national team’s all time top goal scorer, and he also had success in his club career, including for Arsenal and Chelsea. The Frenchman made over 250 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 105 goals.
If Megnan-Pave does turn out to be anything close to ‘the next Giroud’, then Arsenal will be desperate to get him into the Hale End academy, and develop him, much like the likes of Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri and Dowman.
Click here to see Arsenal’s latest injury news.