Arsenal are now reportedly tracking a highly talented teenager in Hadjuk Split star Rokas Pukstas, who has stood out for his club.
The versatile midfielder can play in a number of roles in the middle of the park, and has scored three times in nine Croatian league appearances this season.
The 19-year-old may be a target given that Arsenal are in the market for a midfielder, but with a defender potentially prioritised now, he could be a cheaper option to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad in the winter window.
Arsenal are scouting Rokas Pukstas
The Sun have now reported that Arsenal are scouting the USA under-20 international, with a view to a move in the next year.
Arsenal’s American owners Stan and Josh Kroenke could play a part in the deal given their ties to the USA, which has seen Matt Turner and Auston Trusty join the club in recent years.
Pukstas has been compared to Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller because of his versatility, and his ability to sniff out chances.
Muller, an all-action midfielder who could also play as a striker, has established himself as one of the best players of his generation, and his style of play was almost unique in that he was neither an out-and-out forward nor was he a midfielder.
Should Arsenal sign Rokas Pukstas?
Given his age and experience, it is doubtful that Pukstas would immediately join the first team if he signed.
However, he appears to be a highly talented player, and he may be someone that Arteta could mould into a well-rounded midfielder.
Should Arsenal agree a deal to sign him, they could loan him back to Hadjuk Split or even elsewhere in Europe to gain more experience.
Arsenal already have several top young midfield talents in Ethan Nwaneri, Charlie Patino and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but adding extra quality to their youth ranks could be a good move in the long-term.
Given the Mulller comparisons, Pukstas may be a midfielder not too dissimilar from Kai Havertz.
Pukstas stands at 1.81m tall, and can play in both deeper and more advanced roles as well as sniffing out the occasional goal.
After a difficult start to his Arsenal career, Havertz has now improved his output in front of goal, and perhaps Pukstas may be viewed as someone who can learn from the 24-year-old and try to replicate his role.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will make an offer, but he is certainly a player to keep an eye on going forward.
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