The name Joël Ngoya might not mean a lot to you, but to scouts and teams around the world, it’s one that is likely to cause a big battle this summer.
The Lille youngster has yet to sign his first professional contract with the club, and since one never arrived before April 30th, he has now decided to not stay in the north of France.
France Football on Monday report this has attracted the attention of many clubs, including Arsenal, always keen on young French talent when they can get it.
It’s said the Gunners ‘have their eye’ on the midfielder, although the French magazine also point out that ‘there is a fear in the player’s entourage’ that the ‘good relationship’ with the Premier League club and Lille ‘could collapse’ any potential deal.
Very little else is added about the issue after that and it’s a bit vague, but we’re guessing they mean that following the deal with Nicolas Pépé, poaching a youngster from the French club wouldn’t be the smartest way for Mikel Arteta and co. to go about things, especially if there is hope of future deals being struck between the two clubs.
*cough* Victor Osimhen *cough*
Apologies for that, that last sip of coffee went down the wrong way.
Anyways, if Arsenal do want Ngoya and decide to go forward with the whole thing, they’ll likely face a lot of competition, as Hoffenheim, Manchester United, Everton, Nice, Rennes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Atlético Madrid, Valencia and Marseille are all circling.
