Arsenal are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing SC Braga attacking midfielder Roger Fernandes, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
The 18-year-old is also on the radar of Chelsea, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Ajax after impressing in the Primeira Liga.
Arsenal will look to pip competition to the services of Fernandes but more clubs will likely join them and other suitors in the race going forward.
The teenage sensation made his first-team debut as a 15-year-old back in July 2021, leading manager Carlos Carvalhal to dub him ‘unbelievable’ given how he hit the ground running and started impressing immediately.
Arsenal want to keep bolstering their squad with players capable of making them credible Premier League and Champions League challengers, and the Guinea-Bissau-born Portuguese fits the bill due to his huge potential.
Fernandes will be eligible to play for Portuguese youth teams in January 2025, but Portugal’s senior team manager Roberto Martinez has been keeping an eye on him, and he could be playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo soon.
The Arsenal target has three goals in 16 games, notching one against Porto last Saturday. He can play on both wings, with his passing, dribbling, speed and defensive contribution his major strengths.
Fernandes has been widely tipped to be the next big-money sale of Braga, and landing him ahead of others could be great for the Gunners.
The North Londoners have concentrated on signing youngsters recently, and the Portuguese fits the profile and is suited to their playing style under manager
