Arsenal are keeping tabs on Boca Juniors youngster Tomás Aranda. The Argentine midfielder is attracting growing interest after an impressive breakthrough season.
The Gunners have regularly looked towards the Argentine market in recent years. A fresh report now claims the 20-year-old is firmly on their radar. However, there has been no formal approach at this stage.
According to El Intransigente, Arsenal have begun closely following Aranda’s progress after his performances for Boca Juniors during the first half of 2026.
The report explains the London club are taking a patient approach. They want to continue assessing the youngster before deciding whether to make a move.
Breakthrough season attracts attention
Tomás Aranda only made his senior debut for Boca on January 28 this year. Yet he has quickly established himself as one of the club’s brightest young players.
He has made 21 competitive appearances across the Argentine Apertura and Copa Argentina. He has scored once – against Instituto – and provided two assists. While those numbers are modest, his influence has grown steadily. He has become one of Boca’s most promising creative midfielders.
The report adds that Arsenal are far from alone. Serie A sides Parma and Como have also been credited with interest in recent months, while Argentine journalist Leandro Aguilera previously reported that several European scouts have attended Boca matches specifically to watch Aranda. Manchester City were also credited with interest earlier this year.
Boca are understandably determined to protect one of their biggest academy products. The club have inserted a €17m (£15m) release clause. President Juan Román Riquelme’s board are not believed to be interested in negotiating below that figure.
Arsenal in no rush
The report stresses Arsenal have not submitted an offer. They are currently gathering information rather than accelerating towards negotiations.
That approach would make sense given Aranda’s limited first-team experience. Despite breaking into Boca’s side, he still has fewer than 25 senior appearances. Further development in Argentina could increase both his value and his readiness for European football.
There are further signs of how highly he is rated. Before the 2026 World Cup, Aranda spent time around the Argentina setup. He even revealed Lionel Messi reached out to him after one of his performances, underlining the regard in which he is held.
Meanwhile, Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena reportedly sees Aranda’s long-term future as an central midfielder rather than a winger, believing his ability to receive possession facing goal and dictate play is where he can make the biggest impact.
For Arsenal, this currently looks like a scouting exercise rather than an imminent transfer pursuit. However, if Aranda continues his rapid development during the second half of the year, Boca may soon have more than monitoring to think about.