Arsenal To Announce Signing Of World Cup Finalist Ahead Of January Window

Arsenal are again chasing after a youngster who has the potential to become a world star in the nearest future as they have joined the race for Mali starlet Sidiki Maiga. Some reports claim the deal is practically done and all that’s left is for the club to make an official announcement.

Spanish paper Sport claim the 16-year-old striker has emerged as a target for the Gunners, Barcelona and Real Madrid after impressing at the recent Under-17 World Cup with the three clubs seriously needing strikers in their respective clubs to add to their attacking options.

He scored three goals in seven appearances for his country as Mali enjoyed a terrific run before losing 2-0 to Nigeria in the finals of the same competition.

Maiga, who also plays comfortably on the wings, currently plays for Malian side AS Real Bamako. The wonderkid, Sidiki Maiga, however cannot sign a professional deal until his 18th birthday and Barcelona were slapped with a transfer ban for breaching FIFA rules on signing under-18s so it might be difficult for them but the Nou Camp club reportedly hope to secure a first refusal on Maiga.

Arsene Wenger has previous success of turning young African players into Arsenal stars, so Maiga might prefer to move to Arsenal where it is sure he will improve and also get the chance to play first-team football once in a while.

If this move goes through, it might be beneficial to the club and player as the club also need a striker who might develop in the ranks and also cover up as backup for Arsenal strikers as there are too many injuries at the moment and this is common in the Emirates but since he will not play until he is 18 years old, hopefully, he will have developed by then and hopefully, Arsenal will again have a striker of class in the squad.