Arsenal are keenly tracking Red Bull Salzburg youngster Dominik Szoboszlai, according to Football.London.
According to the publication, Arsenal registered their interest in Szoboszlai as early as the recent summer transfer window, enquiring about taking the playmaker on next summer.
However, it is thought the 18-year-old is keen on gaining experience with the Austrian side before moving to one of Europe’s big leagues.
Arsenal aren’t the only team interested in the young star, with Juventus and Internazionale also registering their interest.
A move for the youngster would make little sense for the Gunners given the obvious need to strengthen their defence, especially with the return to fitness of Emile Smith-Rowe. The 18-year-old Croydon-born playmaker plays a similar role to the Hungarian man, and his progress would be stunted if Szoboszlai was signed.
Smith-Rowe has enjoyed a fine return to fitness, scoring in the under-23’s game away to Brighton and Hove Albion under-23s last month (via Transfermarkt). Furthermore, the England youth international scored three times across just six first-team appearances last campaign, including in two games away from home in the Europa League.
Szoboszlai also plays in central midfield, and with Joe Willock showing his quality in that position, signing the Salzburg star will be even more detrimental. Willock’s start to life in Arsenal’s midfield have been nothing short of sensational, with the 20-year-old central midfielder already averaging the third-most dribbles in the squad (via WhoScored).
A move for Szoboszlai would be strange due to the young options already available in midfield and the need to fix the backline. Right now, both Smith-Rowe and Willock need to be nurtured and developed, rather than potentially replaced by a young foreign star.
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