Arsenal appear to have stolen a march on Liverpool in the pursuit of one target, with the Gunners now making an enquiry ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta appears to be wasting absolutely no time getting stuck into the market after coming so close to winning the Premier League title this past season.
The Gunners boasted the best defensive record in the top-flight this past year, with David Raya winning the Golden Glove for most clean sheets. But they appear to be keen to strengthen further.
Arsenal are admirers of Quilindschy Hartman, but the Feyenoord starlet is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury. And with that, they have now launched a move for another prospect.
Arsenal enquire about Mikayil Faye
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal have now made an enquiry for Mikayil Faye and plan to watch the 19-year-old while he is on international duty with Senegal.
Faye is yet to make his Barcelona debut, but has been a stalwart of the Barcelona B side this season. As noted by the Mail, Xavi labelled Faye ‘aggressive’ and praised his pace as he backed the youngster to come into the fold for the Catalan giants.
Obviously, Xavi has now left the club, and Barcelona could be open to selling the left-back for around £17 million this summer. Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are also admirers of the teenager, who can also play at centre-back.
It is not only at the back where Arsenal appear to be determined to hit the ground running in the window.
Gunners have already bid for striker this summer
As well as Faye – who was born two months after the Invincibles lifted the Premier League title in 2004 – Arsenal have also reportedly now bid for Benjamin Sesko.
The Gunners showed that their starting lineup is as good as any other in the league, with Arteta’s men not losing either game against Manchester City this past season. So it is about adding those final pieces of the jigsaw.
The likes of Faye and Sesko may not be regular starters as soon as they arrive at Arsenal if they do sign, but they are certainly exciting options who will lift the quality within a squad which is so, so close to getting across the line.