Arsenal are reportedly eyeing another Barcelona prodigy to bring to the Emirates, potentially revisiting an old strategy.
The Gunners have a knack for scouting and nurturing young talent, a tactic they’ve successfully employed numerous times over the years. William Saliba serves as a prime example of this approach. Joining Arsenal at just 18, he has since spent time both within the club and out on loan, ultimately establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top defenders.
Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli made the move from Ituano in Brazil to the Emirates at the same age and has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad. Now, Arsenal are said to be interested in 18-year-old Barcelona winger, Arnau Pradas.
The young player has been turning heads at U19 level in Spain this season, netting two goals in six matches, reports Football London. According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are keen on the teenager, whose contract is due to run out at the end of this season.
This could mean Arsenal might secure him in January for a minimal fee. The report also suggests that Arteta has given his approval of the club’s interest in the young player.
If Arsenal manage to lure Pradas to the Emirates, it would echo their acquisition of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona 21 years ago for a mere £2.25million. While the circumstances surrounding that move differ slightly from those involving Pradas, there are undeniable similarities in Arsenal’s reported bid to snatch one of La Masia’s talents at what could be a bargain price – considering his contractual situation.
Should Pradas emulate even a fraction of Fabregas’ success, he’ll have done well. At just 16, Fabregas became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player, clocking up 303 appearances, netting 57 goals and providing 95 assists.
In 2011, Arsenal sold Fabregas back to Barcelona for an eye-watering £25.4million – over ten times what they paid for him. He returned to the Premier League in 2014, this time donning Chelsea’s blue in a deal reportedly worth £30million.
He racked up 198 appearances for the Blues before moving to Monaco in 2019. Fabregas then transferred to Como in 2022, hanging up his boots the following year. Despite having a strong forward line currently, with Bukayo Saka causing havoc on the right and loanee Raheem Sterling making waves on the left, Arteta may be planning for the long term.
