Arsenal are “willing to” trigger Sporting Lisbon winger Joelson Fernandes’s release clause, according to ABOLA. The Portuguese tabloid claims that an offer is “imminent” from the Gunners.
The same newspaper reported earlier this week that the London club were keeping tabs on the player, but since then they have changed the figure of the buyout fee.
It was said that Joelson could be signed for €60m (£55m) but now ABOLA says the amount needed is €45m (£41m). Fans on Twitter are still sceptical about whether Arsenal would have the funds to make the deal happen:
No way we're spending that much for him
— Hadi (@_hadi123_) July 18, 2020
Who's this guy
— Sarthak (@thisArsenalweek) July 18, 2020
Top talent
— Papa (@ElPapaKwesi) July 18, 2020
Who ?
— The Arsenal Guy (@cedsc) July 18, 2020
Im sorry but no
— James C (@AFCCouch) July 18, 2020
Arsenal don’t spent that much on kids.
— H (@H24AFC1) July 18, 2020
Pretty sure his agent is using us to get a new deal
— Ahmed Maqbool ? (@Ahmedmaq00) July 18, 2020
We have 45 million???
— THE REAL INDIAN GOONER (@RIJOIACE) July 18, 2020
Kia Joorabchian is the 17-year-old’s representative and due to the close ties between the agent and the Gunners, it is no surprise that the teenager has been linked with a move to the Emirates.
However, it is likely that Arsenal’s name is being used to get a better contract for the player. It is thought that the current deal Joelson is being offered by Sporting amounts to just £2,000 a week.