Arsenal and Manchester City considering swoop for MLS starlet Noel Buck

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Noel Buck.

According to The Athletic reporter Tom Bogert, Arsenal are amongst the teams now interested in securing the services of New England Revolution ace Noel Buck.

Manchester City, Burnley, and a number of Bundesliga outfits are also keeping tabs on the 18-year-old.

Buck was a breakout star in the MLS last season, making 24 appearances in the competition, and chipping in with three goals and one assist. The versatile midfielder impressed with the maturity of his performances and his technical ability. 

Whether he is ready to make the step up to Premier League level remains to be seen, but he certainly has vast potential. 

Buck a smart punt with business considerations in mind

Arsenal have also made plenty of use of the north American market in recent years. Although they’ve had limited success on the pitch with this strategy, the Gunners were able to sell on MLS pick-ups Matt Turner and Auston Trusty to fellow Premier League clubs for fees of £7 million and £5 million, respectively, in the recent summer transfer window.

With this track record in mind, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu may consider Buck a worthwhile punt if they can get him for a low fee. They will feel confident that they can recoup their initial investment in the player, at the very least, if he fails to make the grade at the Emirates Stadium.

From a more cynical perspective, the business decision behind such a deal would also include an acknowledgement that bringing Buck to the club would boost awareness of, and interest in Arsenal, in the USA.

The Massachusetts-born teenager is also eligible to represent England through his father. He has been capped at under-19 level three times by the Three Lions. However, that does not necessarily mean that Buck will commit his senior international career to England.