Arsenal attempt Fabregas repeat as Arteta scouts Spanish wonderkid

Cameron Smith

• 25 Mar 2024 09:51 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was reportedly spotted in attendance at the Madrid U19 derby in order to watch Atletico Madrid youngster Omar Janneh.

Atleti U19s, managed by former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Fernando Torres, ran out 2-0 winners on the day, with Janneh scoring once and providing one assist.

The 17-year-old forward has 16 goals and five assists for Atletico Madrid’s U19 side this season and Arteta was specifically focused on watching his performance during his trip to Spain, according to Marca.

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Janneh was involved in Diego Simeone’s first-team training recently, but he is yet to make his senior debut.

The teenager has just one year left on his current deal at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, however early indications suggest that Atleti will do everything in their power to tie him down to an extended contract.

But, if Janneh opts against penning a new deal in Madrid, then it could open the door for Arsenal to swoop.

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Omar Janneh: Cesc Fabregas 2.0?

Arsenal famously signed talented Barcelona academy product Cesc Fabregas when he was just 16 years old and he emerged into a club legend and the Gunners’ youngest ever player and goal-scorer.

Fabregas sensed there would be limited first-team opportunities at Camp Nou due to the depth of senior options ahead of him and he opted to join Arsenal in 2003, despite interest from Manchester United.

He went on to become club captain at the Emirates Stadium before leaving to re-join Barcelona in 2011.

The Gunners’ pursuit of Janneh certainly draws comparisons to their bid to sign Fabregas in the early 2000s. With Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay, Joaquin Correa and fellow youngster Samu Omorodion all ahead of him in the pecking order, Janneh may see his first-team pathway slightly blocked.

As a result, it may allow Arsenal to swoop in and sign one of LaLiga’s most promising academy stars.