Arsenal set to miss out on key youth target as Paris Saint-Germain fail to agree new deal and rival steals march
Arsenal look set to miss out on one of their key youth targets this summer with Emmanuel Mbemba reportedly set to join AS Monaco. The 18-year-old defender was understood to have impressed the scouting department in North London and was seen as a future option on the left of defence.
However, it appears that the pathway to regular minutes at the senior level from Monaco has convinced the Frenchman to choose the principality club, as reported by L’Equipe. Paris Saint-Germain failed in their own attempts to keep hold of the young starlet.
From an Arsenal perspective, this will come as a disappointment. There is a push to improve the roster of young talent at the club and revamp this aspect of Arsenal.
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A new head of the academy is expected to be secured soon, with reports suggesting Strasbourg’s Pascal De Maesschalck is the leading candidate. Arsenal have already agreed deals for Shamrock Rovers’ Victor Ozhianvuna and Independiente del Valle twins Holger and Edwin Quintero.
Talks are ongoing with Leicester City to agree a deal for 16-year-old winger Jeremy Monga. After a £5million offer was knocked back, football.london understands the East Midlands club want at least double such a figure from any potential move.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has taken a leading role with the academy, while new head of scouting Maurizio Micheli has already identified several targets. One such player remains Georgian Andria Bartishvili, currently on loan at Iberia 1999 from Kolkheti 1913.
Micheli has a good record in this aspect of the market, having identified fellow Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia when at Napoli. A pre-contract offer has been made to the 17-year-old attacking midfielder.
