Arsenal compete with Dutch giants for breakout Conference League star

Updated: 20 Mar 2024 16:41 GMT
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

With five goals in just three games in the Conference League, FC Midtjylland's Franculino Dju is perhaps the biggest surprise in that European tournament this season.

The centre forward, trained by Benfica, has now managed to fire himself into the spotlight of various top clubs. Scouts from Ajax and PSV, among others, are said to have been in attendance at games to watch the 19-year-old talent in recent months.

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Although Dju is only in his first year at FC Midtjylland, it is possible that the striker will leave again in the summer. Reports suggest that the wonderkid has several clubs to choose from.

In addition to Ajax and PSV, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in Dju, who has so far scored 12 times in 22 games for FC Midtjylland this season. Scouts from the Gunners are said to be so impressed with the attacker from Guinea-Bissau that a positive report has been written for club bosses.

Dju's rise stardom

Dju, who can also play as a winger, was also already being eyed by several top clubs during his time at Benfica but consciously chose to sign for FC Midtjylland in a bid to gradually reach the top. Dju also had the chance to sign a new deal in Lisbon but did not agree with the future plans presented by the club.

The Bissau-Guinean signed a five-year contract in Denmark last summer, which puts FC Midtjylland in a strong position in any potential negotiation. Data from FootballTransfers shows that Dju, who has one international match to his name, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of only €600,000.

Now that the talent has appeared on the radar of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, it is not inconceivable that his ETV will go through the roof in the coming months. However, there is little chance that Dju will break FC Midtjylland's transfer record. That honour still belongs to Alexander Sørloth, who left for Crystal Palace for €16 million in 2018.