Arsenal are ‘working hard’ to sign Real Madrid youngster César Gelabert, with manager Mikel Arteta a big fan of the 19-year-old.
Defensa Central report that the attacking midfielder is one of the Spanish club’s highest-rated prospects, having risen through their youth categories.
He’s now a regular for Raúl González’s Castilla side, making 13 appearances in all competitions this season after overcoming several years of injury issues.
Madrid consider him a player with ‘Real Madrid DNA’, but Arsenal have set their sights on trying to lure him away from Spain, believing he could be a star of the future.
They report that the Gunners, specifically Arteta, are doing their best to lure him to the Emirates and away from Spain.
He was subsequently impressed and has ‘come back’ for him as a result.
The Gunners are not the only ones interested, though, with Borussia Dortmund and Lyon also keen, the latter having already seen a bid rejected.
All three have subsequently ‘probed’ the situation, especially as his contract is set to expire next summer.
Madrid, however, remain resistant to a sale. The midfielder is highly rated at the club and, had it not been for injury, would likely have already featured under Zinedine Zidane by now.
The Frenchman considers him as one of the ‘promising’ players for the future and one of the ‘great values’ for the club’s midfield in future.
That is a sentiment that stands to this day, despite his injury problems, suggesting they would strongly resist any bids should they arrive from Arsenal.
