Arsenal make contact for European wonderkid, in serious show of strength: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the Gunners' Premier League game at Wolves in April 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal have made contact for a highly-rated youngster in European football, as they look to assert their dominance in the transfer market.

While the Gunners are currently battling at the sharp end of the Premier League this season, planning is already underway for the summer transfer window. 

Mikel Arteta likely wants players to immediately come in and hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium, but the hierarchy has also identified talent that will flourish in years to come. 

Leandro Trossard celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates after scoring against Wolves in April 2024.

Arsenal are still fighting for the title (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are looking to make a move for Barcelona youngster Brian Farinas in the summer, with the 18-year-old having impressed for the U19 side this season.

The report suggests that Farinas' agent has contact Arsenal over a prospective move, offering the youngster to Mikel Arteta's side ahead of the transfer window. The Gunners face competition from Borussia Dortmund as well. 

A midfielder who is comfortable on the ball, Farinas joined Barcelona's academy in 2018 from Villarreal. He is the latest prospect to emerge from La Masia in recent times, following in the footsteps of Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. 

Arsenal target ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - DECEMBER 13: players of Barcelona with goalkeeper Aaron Alonso (1) of Barcelona, Joan Anaya (2) of Barcelona , Eman Kospo (3) of Barcelona, Hector Rangel (4) of Barcelona, Xavi Espart (5) of Barcelona, Marc Bernal (6) of Barcelona, Dani Rodriguez (7) of Barcelona, Brian Farinas (8) of Barcelona, Hugo Alba (9) of Barcelona, Cristobal Munoz (10) of Barcelona and Arnau Pradas (11) of Barcelona pose for a team photo during the Uefa Youth League matchday 6 game in group H in the 2023-2024 season between the youth teams Under-19 of Royal Antwerp FC and FC Barcelona on December 13 , 2023 in Lier, Belgium. (Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)

Farinas (back row, far right) has been impressing in Barcelona's U19s (Image credit: Getty Images)

Farinas' contract is set to expire next summer, with Arsenal looking to test his resolve with the promise of a more lucrative contract and better opportunities to reach the first team. The 18-year-old is yet to make his first team debut, and might be tempted away from Catalonia.

Whether a move will happen, though, remains to be seen. There's a clear pathway to the Barcelona first team for players capable enough, as highlighted by the aforementioned academy graduates, while Farinas is reportedly highly rated by Xavi, too.

In FourFourTwo's view, this is a deal that could definitely happen, but it seems more likely that Farinas' agent is simply offering the player to other clubs in an attempt to earn him a better contract at Barcelona. 

More Arsenal stories 

There could be a lot of flux in north London this summer. One star is set for a £60m depature, an attacking duo is being lined up and a defensive rock may well be added.

Could Victor Osimhen be on the move, too?

Meanwhile, former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has shared what motivated Thierry Henry to complete the 2003/04 season unbeaten

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.