Arsenal have reportedly joined Chelsea, Manchester City and a gamut of top clubs that are tailing Hamburg prodigy Josha Vagnoman.
Josha Vagnoman is a youngster in demand, at least as per the report from The Sun. The report entails that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and perhaps more top European clubs are taking a keen interest in the Hamburg prospect.
Josha Vagnoman is a 17-year-old full-back, who can operate on either flank of the backline. The youngster has emanated from the Hamburg youth setup and is touted be on the verge of making his first-team debut, having already started training with the first-team at the club.
The 17-year-old arrived on the footballing scene and first came to be noticed while representing Germany in the Under-17 World Cup, which was held in India. And while the Germans fell to Brazil in the Quarter-Finals, Vagnoman made perhaps, a lasting impressions on the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Vagnoman does have a fair few appearances under his belt at the Under-19 level, with the youngster featuring in 13 matches after being promoted from the Under-17s at Hamburg in the summer only. And it might not be long before he is handed his senior bow at the club.
Josha Vagnoman (17, LB) has also been training with the first team and also impressed Hollerbach. He considers Santos to be the only viable LB in the squad so Vagnoman is an option. pic.twitter.com/urTbGpi0jP
— HSV News English (@HSVnewsEN) February 8, 2018
Bernd Hollerbach and the others included in the coaching staff are so impressed by the 17-year-old that they are plotting to include the player in the lineup against Borussia Dortmund during the weekend. But, the youngster is unlikely to start, with the defender yet to sign a professional contract.
It is not for a lack of trying from Hamburg’s end, with the club trying all they can to tie him down to a deal, which in turn makes him eligible to take the field for the senior team in Bundesliga. But, the entry of clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City into the picture might complicate matters.
Indeed, Chelsea and Manchester City boast of envious youth squads, both of which have shown their pedigree to dominate Europe. The two Premier League clubs are always on the lookout for brilliant talents to add to their squads. And it seems Vagnoman is now on their radar.
For Bayern Munich, this is a natural instinct. The Bavarians are known to poach players from local clubs and Vagnoman’s talent almost automatically ensures interest from the current Bundesliga leaders.
At Arsenal though, this might just be an attempt to uncover a potential gem for the senior team. The report entails that the Gunners’ new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat has been keeping a keen eye on Vagnoman and has taken several trips to watch Hamburg’s Under-19 team, and in particular the 17-year-old, play.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are battling for Hamburg whizkid Josha Vagnoman (the sun) pic.twitter.com/tMNi1NkpAC
— RumorsTransfers 24/7 (@rumorstransfers) February 13, 2018
Hector Bellerin has not exactly been showing the same promise he had shown earlier while Sead Kolasinac is unable to get much time in on the other flank. Vagnoman thus, presents a viable, albeit a long-term option that would be enabled only after a while.
The player is reported to be valued by Hamburg at around an amount that is unlikely to faze Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City or Bayern Munich. Ideally, Hamburg would want to keep a hold of the prodigious 17-year-old. But, even they would be aware that it will become increasingly tough with each passing day as the interest from such top clubs continues to potentially turn Vagnoman’s head.
