Arsenal have made an approach to sign AJ Auxerre’s Elyes Saïdi.
That’s at least what Africa Foot are reporting, and they cover Arsenal’s attempt to try and sign the 16-year-old.
The youngster was in Marseille’s system and left them for SC Toulon in January 2021. He left the latter to join Auxerre in July 2023 and has been with them since.
Saïdi is currently part of Auxerre U19s and is yet to represent their first team. However, that hasn’t stopped him from attracting Arsenal’s interest.
Earlier this month, he represented Morrocco at the U17 World Cup, where they lost to Brazil in the quarter-final. The Gunners target started in five of the six matches in the tournament.
Arsenal have clearly been impressed by the midfielder’s potential, and made advances. Africa Foot report the north London club have tabled a bid, without revealing the details of that offer.
It’s claimed Auxerre have turned it down as they have no plans to part ways with Saïdi.
They are well aware he’s one of the most promising prospects they have and are optimistic he’ll be part of their first team squad in the short to medium term. Therefore, they’ve rejected the Premier League side’s offer.
If an Arsenal bid is accepted, Saïdi won’t be able to arrive in the UK until he turns 18 years of age in December 2026.