Arsenal could lose out in the chase for 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy Ilias Akhomach with the player preferring Villarreal.
According to Sport via Sport Witness, Villarreal may have won the race for Ilias Akhomach. The Spanish side are set to secure the 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy on a four-year deal and beat Arsenal in the chase for the promising winger.
Arsenal and Leeds United have been chasing 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy Ilias Akhomach for the last few months. The promising winger has shown plenty of talent to gather the attention of the Premier League sides, but their race is about to end.
Arsenal had already tabled an offer, which the report reckons had a better financial package. Leeds have also done the same, and there was a feeling Akhomach may have joined one of the English sides. The Whites, despite their relegation, are planning on a swift return to the top and wanted the 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy in their team.
Arsenal have lofty ambitions in the transfer window. They are chasing a host of top players, including Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, while there are stories connecting them to more stars in the market. Edu Gaspar also has an eye for young talents as they look to build a good base behind them.
They want another talented winger like last summer’s arrival Marquinhos. The Brazilian had a modest start to life, but the club plans another loan to develop his talents in England. Similarly, they were seeking 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy Akhomach.
The Gunners must have been confident of sealing the free transfer of Akhomach, but the 19-year-old has decided on a different route. The winger will sign for Villarreal on a four-year deal as things stand. The contract will involve a release clause between €20-30 million.
It’s a bitter blow for Arsenal, but nothing that will unfazed their ambitions. As for Akhomach, he wanted a club where he could play regularly. Moreover, Villarreal’s recent track record shows some tremendous development with wingers.
Hence, looking at regular playing time, Akhomach might have chosen the path laid out by Villarreal. Arsenal and Leeds may have offered him more money, but the winger chose the football project over everything else.
