Arsenal reach out to PSG player after Champions League final as transfer gets the go-ahead
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing a young defender from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. PSG beat Arsenal in the final in Budapest last month, leaving the Gunners focused on their first Premier League title since 2003-04.
The 18-year-old PSG defender Emmanuel Mbemba has caught Arsenal’s eye, according to French reports. Le Parisien said Arsenal have shared their plans with Mbemba, who is the captain of PSG’s Under-19 team.
Mbemba, who can play as a centre-back or left-back, is also being watched by Barcelona, as well as German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. PSG have offered him a new deal, and Paris FC, another local team, are keen to sign him too. However, it looks like Mbemba will leave France to sign his first professional contract.
He’s old enough to sign with an English club, but he hasn’t played enough first-team games yet to get the work permit he needs in the UK. Because of this, he might need to go out on loan right away to meet those requirements. Still, Arsenal are very keen on him, and he seems interested too.
Under sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have made youth signings a big focus. Sources tell TEAMtalk that talks with Mbemba and his agents have gone well, and Arsenal’s plan really impressed them.
Mbemba’s contract ends this summer, making him available to clubs all over Europe. Besides Arsenal, other teams like Stuttgart and PSV are also looking into signing him.
Even some big club groups like Chelsea’s owners BlueCo and Manchester City’s City Football Group have shown interest in Mbemba, one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
So far, he hasn’t played for PSG’s first team, but many believe he has a bright future ahead.