Arsenal are in the picture to sign Barcelona youngster Mika Faye, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish giants took the 19-year-old from Croatian side NK Kustosija last summer, after overcoming tough competition. He’s been part of Barca’s reserve team and has made 21 appearances for them so far.
Faye’s impressive displays have caught the attention of several European clubs, including Arsenal.
The Senegalese arrived at the Catalan club with a clear objective of making his way into their first team, which he hasn’t done yet. His form has helped him increase his valuation and also resulted in interest from other clubs.
It’s said RC Lens made a €9m offer for the centre-back in the winter market but Barcelona turned it down.
Mundo state Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, along with Lens, Lille and OGC Nice, are all after him. The former two already wanted Faye last summer and are ‘keeping a close eye’ on him for the next window.
These clubs see the defender as a starter in their first team and could offer a salary much higher than what he’s currently earning.
The Gunners and the Ligue 1 sides are ‘on the prowl’ for the teenager, and may jump at the chance to sign him, if Barca open the exit door in the summer.
Meanwhile, Barça reserve team manager Rafael Márquez has heaped praise on Faye, after he scored in the last two matches.
“He has unique conditions that make him different from many others. He has great potential: he’s quick, he’s strong, he has a good header, he has a good left foot. Normally, you don’t find so many left-footed centre-backs, so we have to keep working on him,” he said, relayed by Sport.
