Arsenal Targets Wonderkid Barcelona

JAKARTA Ahead of the summer transfer market, Arsenal set their sights on Barcelona. The Gunners are said to intend to bring in the Blaugrana wonderkid, Mikayil Faye.

The 19-year-old defender spent the 2023-2024 season with Barcelona B team after being signed from Croatian club NK Kustosija Zagreb last summer.

Faye became Rafael Marquez's mainstay in Spain's third division competition with 33 appearances that helped Barcelona B occupy third place in Group 1 as well as qualify for the semifinals of the playoffs.

Although it has not penetrated the first team, Faye has been linked with a move from Camp Nou. A number of European clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, are reportedly continuing to monitor Faye's developments.

Quoted from the Daily Mail, Arsenal who did not want to be missed have started initial talks with Barcelona management. The Catalan giant is claimed to have asked for a minimum of 17 million Pounds to release the player from Senegal.

Arsenal is said to have no objection to Barca's banderol. This is because Meriam London coach Mikel Arteta views Faye as a player who can add to the depth of the squad, especially in the center-back position who next season only relies on William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber.

Despite setting prices and having the opportunity to earn money from Faye sales, Los Cules are still reluctant to release their future stars. Barcelona's management prefers to sell other players before considering selling Faye.

In addition, Barcelona's new coach Hansi Flick is likely to rely on young players like Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Pedri and Hector Fort in the 2025-2026 season. While it may be behind those players on the line of choice, Mikayil Faye is expected to advance to the first team if Flick decides not to sell them in the summer