Arsenal are keen on La Liga star Junior Firpo but reportedly face a hurdle in the form of Manchester City, who are also interested in the Real Betis defender.
Arsenal are not fancying their chances in their pursuit of Junior Firpo, according to Spanish publication AS. The Gunners are interested in the Real Betis star but find themselves facing a hurdle. Manchester City are keen on the versatile defender as well.
The hesitation though, is from the fact that Junior Firpo is managed by Pere Guardiola, brother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, which might obviously hand the current Premier League pace-setters an advantage should it come down to a head-to-head brawl.
Junior Firpo joined Real Betis in 2014 as a bright 18-year-old. Born in Santo Domingo de Guzman, the 22-year-old star has finally managed to break into the senior team in a season where things are looking chipper for the La Liga side. Firpo has been a regular at Betis this season in role a bit further up the pitch on the left side of the midfield.
With 2 goals, an assist and some impressive performances, Firpo has managed to catch the attention of Arsenal and Manchester City, with other clubs like Torino also interested in the star that seems to have broken out under the tutelage of Quique Setien.
Arsenal and Manchester City are not in any real crisis as far as the left side of the defence is concerned. At Arsenal though, there is one brewing. Nacho Monreal has perhaps, grown too old to match the fitness levels that need to be matched in order to be picked each and every match.
Sead Kolasinac is slowly starting to impress Unai Emery but there are a lack options beyond the Bosnian. Another issue that could be resolved is the lack of wide players in attack as well. Firpo has shown he has the pedigree to be a nuisance out wide on the left and could fill that role, should the need arise at Arsenal.
For Manchester City, it is more a case of recruiting the best of talents rather than any shortcomings within the squad. Benjamin Mendy though, is the only recognisable left-back in the squad and Guardiola would be better off recruiting a rotation option or a backup, at the very least.
Junior Firpo has a release clause of €50 million embedded in his contract that runs till 2023. Right now, Firpo seems to be loving his football under Quique Setien and life in Spain. With Real Betis doing well in La Liga and in Europe, it would take something extensively appetising for the 22-year-old to even think of switching allegiances in the near future.
Arsenal and Manchester City are likely to have to make do with other targets.
