Report: Arsenal set to meet release clause for £41m attacker ‘following in Ronaldo’s footsteps’

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Arsenal are reportedly preparing to trigger Joelson Fernandes’ €45million (£41million) release clause, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola.

The 17-year-old attacker has been tipped to be the next big talent to emerge from the Sporting Lisbon ranks, following in the footsteps of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.

Joelson has trained with the first-team on a number of occasions for over a year and finally made his debut when the Portuguese Primeira Liga restarted last month, going on to make two further appearances.

The youngster’s current deal reportedly includes a release clause of £41million, but Sporting are said to be so confident about his potential that they’d like to raise it to around £92million (€100million).

However, A Bola claims that several clubs are seriously considering paying his current release clause, and added that Arsenal have shown the most interest, with an approach said to be “imminent”.

Joelson’s agent is Kia Joorabchian, who has developed close ties to Arsenal in recent years, particularly since Raul Sanllehi joined the Emirates Stadium side, and played a large role in David Luiz penning a new deal.

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Joelson, a player said to be “following in Ronaldo’s footsteps” (Goal.com), is an incredibly talented young attacker whose talents and potential have put him in the spotlight and in the shop window.

With Joorabchian as his agent, Arsenal would be dealing with someone they already have a great working relationship with, and it could give them an advantage ahead of other reported suitors Barcelona and Juventus.