Arsenal now watching £13m gem who can become Mikel Arteta’s own Alexis MacAllister

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Arsenal are scouting several midfielders across the world ahead of the summer transfer window as reinforcements will be necessary in the position.

Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey could leave, whilst the future of Jorginho currently looks unclear as the midfielder will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Martin Zubimendi, but could look to recruit more than one player in midfield given the departures they may face, and it has now emerged that they are scouting a 21-year-old currently plying his trade in Argentina.

Arsenal are scouting Ezequiel Fernandez from Boca Juniors

A report from Argentinian outlet El Crack Deportivo has now revealed that Arsenal are tracking Boca Juniors midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez.

The 21-year-old has made 47 appearances for Boca since joining from Tigre in 2022, and is considered one of the best young talents at the club.

Boca, who were beaten by Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final in what has been a disappointing year, have already lost left-back Valentin Barco to Brighton, and are reportedly “worried” that another key player could leave in Fernandez.

We recently argued that Arsenal should explore the South American market more to find better value, and missing out on Barco may be a decision that the club comes to regret. With this in mind, it is encouraging that a player like Fernandez is seemingly on Arsenal’s radar.

What would Ezequiel Fernandez bring to Arsenal?

Given how poor Boca have been over the last year, it has been tough for any player to stand out, and this extends to Fernandez, but clubs are circulating as he has displayed good technique and awareness for his age.

The midfielder has been described as an “excellent ball-winner,” and Boca have put a price tag of around £13m on the Argentine.

Fernandez could become Arsenal’s own Alexis Mac Allister, as a player who comes straight from the Argentine top-flight and becomes a hit, and the World Cup winner even praised the Boca star at one point.

“If you ask me a little more about my style, there is a player that I really like and that is Equi Fernández. He is a player who has all the conditions to reach Europe one day and I hope that can happen to him,” Mac Allister stated of Fernandez in March last year.

“He is a player that I like a lot, he understands the game a lot. He is always prepared to receive the ball, he plays with both legs, he can play as a five, as an inside player… he is a player who has certain very good conditions and, if Brighton asked me, I would say his name.”

There may be concerns that he would take a lot of time to make the step up from Boca to Arsenal, and to fit into Mikel Arteta’s system, but if he is one of several players to arrive in the summer, given his age, price and potential, he could be a player to keep an eye on.