Arsenal are reportedly one of a handful of Premier League teams keeping tabs on a 19-year-old midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Steven Gerrard.
The summer transfer window is now days from opening with Arsenal expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the market in terms of both making new signings and shipping off players who need moving on.
As well as focusing on the senior team, Arsenal’s academy ranks are due for an overhaul, with the likes of Mika Biereth set to leave with 16-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri also being reported with a loan move.
And Arsenal are now tracking a teenager who could be a welcome addition to the club’s youth ranks.
Arsenal tracking USA youth international Rokas Pukstas
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are one of three Premier League sides ‘keeping tabs’ on USA U-20 star Rokas Pukstas, who is currently plying his trade with Croatian giants Hajduk Split.
Likened to England legends Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard by former manager Ivan Leko, Pukstas is regarded as one of the United States’ most exciting prospects and a talent who is ready for a big move this summer.
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And Arsenal could now end up being the side who win the race for Pukstas, who has shown real promise for club and country playing in the advanced no. 8 role in midfield, a position the Gunners could do with some more depth in.
Indeed, a real push in youth recruitment could be beneficial for Arsenal this summer in terms of planning ahead for the future, and in Pukstas, the north London side could have a top talent on their hands who could become a first-team player.
Arsenal have to do all they can to sign Pukstas this summer
Arsenal have somewhat slowed down in recent years when it comes to sign project prospects, with Mikel Arteta now often opting to bring in players who are ready for first-team action the second they arrive in north London.
And whilst the results are clearly showing that this is a good plan, it could leave Arsenal short in the years to come, which is what makes Pukstas a player who the Gunners should be looking to sign this summer.
The 19-year-old midfielder is an exciting talent who could add a lot to Arsenal if his development can continue in north London, and Pukstas himself would seemingly jump at the chance to join the Gunners if an offer was made.