Arsenal now want to sign ‘unstoppable’ 18-year-old wonderkid as ‘advances’ made

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Arsenal are one of many clubs to hold an interest in Jean-Mattéo Bahoya.

It has been a quiet January transfer window for Arsenal so far, with no incomings or outgoings from the Emirates Stadium yet confirmed.

A large part of the reason for this inactivity is a lack of resources. Mikel Arteta does not have much of a transfer budget to work with this winter. There will also be concerns at the club about complying with the Premier League’s financial regulations, in light of the charges that have recently been delivered to Everton and Nottingham Forest.

However, there are irons in the fire. The Gunners are actively working to get two players out of the club in order to raise funds and clear space in the squad for new arrivals, as they are keen to bring in a defender and a midfielder this month. 

One midfielder that Arsenal could seek to bring in is Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. As reported by French publication L’Equipe, Arsenal are one of many clubs who are currently “attentive” to the 18-year-old wonderkid. However, the north London club may already be playing catch up in the race for the talented teenager’s signature, as “advances” have already been made by other clubs. 

Who is Arsenal target Jean-Mattéo Bahoya?

Bahoya currently plies his trade for Angers. Despite his youth, he is already a regular for the Ligue 2 outfit. So far this season, the versatile youngster has made 19 appearances in the French second tier, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists.

The France under-18 international is able to play up front and in the middle of the park. However, he generally features on the left wing for Angers. He could come in at Arsenal and eventually challenge the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for their place in the pecking order.

Bahoya has previously been described as “unstoppable” by Angers-Info, but it would be a huge ask for him to immediately make an impact at Premier League level. Arteta almost certainly sees the player as one for the future. If Arsenal do win the race for his signature then Bahoya may well be loaned out again to get some valuable experience at a higher level than he is currently playing at. 

It seems unlikely, though, that Bahoya is currently a priority for Arsenal given that their funds are so limited and they have far more pressing issues in their first-team squad to attend to in the market if they can.