---
title: "Arsenal: Sporting Lisbon teenager Joelson Fernandes emerges as transfer target"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-joelson-fernandes-transfer-meeting-joorabchian/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-31T19:20:37Z"
modified: "2020-07-31T19:20:37Z"
---

# Arsenal: Sporting Lisbon teenager Joelson Fernandes emerges as transfer target

**Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to explore the potential of activating Joelson Fernandes’ release clause of £40.9m at Sporting Lisbon, according to [A Bola.](https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2020-07-27/horas-decisivas-para-joelson/854964)**

The Gunners’ lowly Premier League finish of eighth could prompt Arteta to scour the transfer market and look to bring in a number of new faces.

One player of particular interest is teenage sensation Joelson, who has been impressing for Sporting Lisbon. The left-winger has featured 28 times for the Portuguese club’s under-23 side this season, netting five goals and assisting twice, whilst also four appearances at first team level, as per [Transfermarkt.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joelson-fernandes/profil/spieler/581140)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Having made such an impression for Sporting, Arsenal’s interest is now seemingly developing quickly, with [A Bola](https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2020-07-27/horas-decisivas-para-joelson/854964) claiming that a meeting has been setup between representatives from all parties.

The [report](https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2020-07-27/horas-decisivas-para-joelson/854964) added that the youngster’s agent, Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian, is setting up the meeting in his London-based office.

[A Bola](https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2020-07-27/horas-decisivas-para-joelson/854964) also claimed that both Juventus and Barcelona are waiting in the wings with interest should Arsenal fail to lure him to the Premier League.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

While Arsenal have had success with bringing in young talents like Gabriel Martinelli, who scored [10 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gabriel-martinelli/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/655488/verein/11) in his first season at the club in 2019/20, Arteta perhaps needs to find some established players as well so that he can kick on next season.

A finish of eighth in the Premier League is simply not good enough for a club of [the Gunners’ stature](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/platzierungen/verein/11) and, facing into a [fourth successive year](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/pokalhistorie/verein/11) without Champions League football, some fans may not be willing to show patience for potential to come good.

***Do you think Joelson would be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know in the comments section below…***