Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Sporting Lisbon winger Joelson Fernandes, according to ABOLA. The Portuguese tabloid claims the Gunners have asked about the 17-year-old’s situation in the “last few days.”

The player’s agent is Kia Joorabchian, who has good relations with both Gunners’ Head of Football Raul Sanllehi and Technical Director Edu.

Joelson is currently involved in contract negotiations with Sporting, with the Portuguese side hoping to increase his current release clause from €60m (£54m) to €80m (£72m)

However, Arsenal’s involvement has delayed talks with the two sides currently unable to find a compromise. The rest of the contract details are said to have been already agreed, with the teenager expected to extend his stay at the Jose Alvalade Stadium until 2025, on a deal worth around £2,000 a week.

It could well be Joorabchian using Arsenal as a negotiating tactic to get a better contract for his client but we shall have to wait and see.