Barcelona among teams eyeing 18-year-old Arsenal wonderkid – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona head into a crucial summer as they look to build on the momentum created under Hansi Flick. The German manager has done a remarkable job maximising the potential of his current squad, and the next step involves strategic reinforcements to elevate the team further.

Deco & co. , in agreement with Hansi Flick, will surely have a set of positions that they will want to reinforce this summer. However, any good club will always have their eye open towards certain market opportunities that present themselves, even if it is not in a position of need.

Last night, it emerged that Barcelona passed up on one such market opportunity as Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen defender, reached an agreement to join Bayern Munich as a free agent. The Catalan club were interested in him all along but decided to let go, as there was no need for a new centre-back.

Ethan Nwaneri has been impressive for Arsenal this season. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Nwaneri on the market?

Now, as per journalist Graeme Bailey on TBR football, Barcelona are among the many clubs interested in signing 18-year-old Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri. The breakthrough English starlet isn’t any closer to renewing his contract with the Gunners and top clubs around Europe are keeping tabs on the same.

Arsenal have been trying to get the teenager to put pen to paper on a new contract for some time now. Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Barcelona are keeping an eye on how the situation at the Emirates pans out in the coming weeks.

An opportunity to pass?

Nwaneri has made the step up to being a regular first-team player for Mikel Arteta this season. The teenager has played 36 games across all competitions this season, scoring 9 goals and providing 2 assists. Although not all these games have come as starts, it’s been enough to create an impression.

The Gunners youngster has primarily played as right-winger but also as an attacking midfielder and a false nine. However, Barcelona already have Lamine Yamal in this position and signing yet another teenager for this position might not be the play from a sporting perspective.

Unless his situation becomes an irresistible market bargain, the Catalan club are likely to focus their resources elsewhere. The coming weeks will reveal whether the teenager stays in North London or if another top club manages to tempt him away.