Premier League table-toppers Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing 16-year-old French-born Moroccan youth international Elyes Saidi from Ligue 1 club AJ Auxerre.
According to a report by Africa Foot, Elyes Saidi is the subject of interest of Arsenal. The Gunners are keen on adding to their youth options by signing another promising midfielder. So, the 16-year-old AJ Auxerre wonderkid has emerged as a target for the North London club.
The Premier League table-toppers are closely monitoring the French-born midfield prospect’s progress, and he also made his mark at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup this month. However, Arsenal’s opening bid to sign Saidi has not done the trick, with AJ Auxerre rejecting the offer.
Who is Elyes Saidi?
Elyes Saidi is the latest promising midfielder to rise in prominence in France. A native of Toulon, the teenage sensation has spent his formative years in his home country, passing through the academies at Marseille and SC Toulon while currently representing AJ Auxerre. However, the 16-year-old has yet to break into the first-team squad at the Ligue 1 club.
However, the French-born midfielder has made eight appearances thus far for Auxerre while managing one outing for the reserve team. Meanwhile, Saidi’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs. Arsenal will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
London calling?
Arsenal’s interest in Elyes Saidi is understandable. While the North London club signed multiple midfielders in the summer transfer window, Christian Norgaard is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career. So, Arsenal can do with a young midfielder who can take over from Norgaard in a few years.
Signing a teenager will also ensure smooth succession once Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi turn 30. Several young midfielders, including Christos Mouzakitis, have thus emerged on Arsenal’s radar, with Saidi also a viable target. However, the Gunners have failed with their bid to sign the French-born midfielder from AJ Auxerre.
The report has not revealed the Ligue 1 club’s asking price to part ways with the 16-year-old midfield sensation. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal will return with an improved offer to sign Saidi from AJ Auxerre in the coming months.
