Arsenal are reportedly planning a January swoop for Marseille wonder kid Christopher Rocchia but will be met with competition from Borussia Dortmund.
According to a report by Foot Mercato, Marseille’s promising youngster Christopher Rocchia has attracted the attention of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund. The left-back is rated as one of Marseille’s brightest young prospects and is also the captain of their reserve side.
The report also goes to state that the Gunners’ chief French scout Gilles Grimandi established contact with Rocchia’s advisors after being impressed by the teenager. However, Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc is also believed to have made an approach for Rocchia.
The 19-year-old defender was a part of the Marseille side that reached the final of the Coupe Gambardella, which is the equivalent of the FA Youth Cup this summer, but he is in the last year of his current contract. Although the French club are trying to offer him a new three-year deal, the player is keen on seeking pastures anew.
Negotiations have been dragging on since the summer, and it has now become a situation that is being heavily monitored by Arsenal and Dortmund. Both clubs are in need of repairing their defence as was evident in their matches so far.
19 year old Christopher Rocchia is a target for arsenal in the January transfer window pic.twitter.com/A8McFuDmly
— Rodrigo Halop (@RodrigoHalop) September 21, 2017
A talented youngster like Rocchia will always be an asset for any team. As a young French star, Rocchia could end up under Arsene Wenger’s watchful eye, who has a good track record for developing such talents at Arsenal. It’s claimed the Gunners are weighing up an offer for Rocchia, despite Wenger already landing left-back Sead Kolasinac.
However, based on their displays so far, Arsenal do have room in the squad for another left back. While Sead Kolasinac seems first-choice, back-up option Nacho Monreal has been starting as a centre-back in Arsenal’s back three. A player like Rocchia could provide some competition for that area if he does join the club.
Having said that, he will still have a tough decision since moving to Germany also seems like an interesting prospect. Dortmund has always been a good environment for young players to flourish, and they do have a dire need to improve their back line.
They have put up defensively strong performances on certain occasions but were mostly wasteful at the back. Rocchia’s potential coupled with Dortmund’s flair for bringing the best out of young players can prove to be an ideal combination.
