Over the past few days, reports coming out of the Portuguese press have extensively discussed Arsenal interest in Sporting’s Joelson Fernandes.
On July 23rd, we carried a report from A Bola, who explained the Gunners are ‘crazy’ about the forward, and they are willing to pay his €45m release clause.
It was also suggested the north London club are planning to trigger the 17-year-old’s clause to avoid competition from Barcelona and Juventus.
Mundo Deportivo journalist Miguel Rico has backed claims made elsewhere about the La Liga side’s interest in the teenager.
He claims Barcelona ‘have followed Joelson Fernandes’, who primarily operates as a left-winger, but can also be deployed on the right wing.
The Portugal U17 international is managed by Kia Joorabchian, whose client list also includes Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho.
Rico states Mikel Arteta’s side ‘have an advantage’, most likely over Barca, in signing Fernandes. 
Mundo’s report echoes claims made in the Portuguese press about Arsenal leading the chase to acquire the player’s services.
Fernandes made his first team debut for Sporting at the start of this month and since then has added three more appearances to his name.
