Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a master of picking up kids when they are in the mid-teens and then restructuring them into world-class talents, Spanish superstar Cesc Fabregas being a prime example.
Fabregas was lured away from the Camp Nou when he was just 16 and it has now emerged that Wenger is on the verge of doing something similar. It has been reported that he is keen on picking up 14-year old winger Gerard Deulofeu, who has been dubbed the ‘new Ronaldinho’.
The Spanish-born youngster has been making tremendous strides at the Barcelona youth academy and his progress reports have been sent to various top clubs in Europe.
But if Wenger thought that he had no competitor in this signing chase, he needs to think again. Chelsea director of youth development Frank Arnesen is also keen on the player and it remains to be seen who gets to Deulofeu first – and whether Barcelona even let the player talk to the English sharks.