Arsenal reportedly eyeing one of world’s best youngsters and could get him for free

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in Paris Saint-Germain midfield prodigy Adil Aouchiche, according to ESPN.

The 17-year-old France youth international is one of the most highly rated youngsters in world football, being ranked at number 16 on Goal.com’s NxGn 2020 list, which came out in March.

Aouchiche has already debuted and scored for the Ligue 1 champions this season, and scored nine times in just four outings at last summer’s European Under-17 Championship in Ireland.

However, his contract with PSG expires at the end of the season and the prospect of him upping sticks is growing more likely with each passing day.

ESPN claims that Aouchiche’s entourage are asking for a €4million (£3.6million) signing on fee and wages of €25,000-a-week (£22,500-a-week), and Saint-Etienne, Lille and Bordeaux have been put off by these financial demands.

The outlet then claims that Aouchiche fits Arsenal’s recruitment strategy in terms of signing talented young players who don’t cost much, like Gabriel Martinelli and Matteo Guendouzi, who cost a combined £13million.

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Aouchiche is one of the most promising youngsters in world football and it speaks volumes that a club the size of PSG are sweating over his future amid interest from suitors.

Not having to pay a transfer fee would be a big boost for the Gunners, who look set for a tough summer from a financial perspective in wake of the global health crisis.

Even with the hefty reported signing-on fee and high wage demands for such a young player – in comparison, Martinelli is reported to currently be on £10,000-a-week – he would still be quite a coup, given how highly rated he is and how much potential he has.