Even after the signings of Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin in the summer, Arsène Wenger looks set to “steal” yet another student of Barcelona’s La Masia academy.

La Masia is touted as the best academy in the world; it is famous for producing the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Lionel Messi. However, players who graduate from the academy are aware that such brilliant players are ahead of them in the Barcelona squad. For this reason, many graduates look at moving elsewhere in search increased first-team opportunities. 

Gerard Duelfou, who plays as a forward/left-winger for the Barcelona B team and Spain’s U19′s, is yet to sign a senior contract with Barcelona. The 17-year-old is said to be  ”considering his options” now that he is faced with the extremely difficult task of breaking into the Barca first-team and is being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal have a similar playing style to that of Barcelona and a great track record of working with youth players. Cesc Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona at the age of 16, and flourished under the guidance of Arsène Wenger. Duelfou has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, with Roman Abramovic now investing in younger players.

Barcelona’s major problem is that players are not allowed to sign professional contracts with Spanish clubs until they are 18. This means that both Arsenal and Chelsea could sign Duelfou at 17 and would only have to pay the £3.75m release clause he has on his current youth contract.

It is no secret that Arsenal’s chief scout, Steve Rowley, traveled to watch the U19 European Championships in Switzerland to monitor the progress of several young players. Among the players was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (who we subsequently signed), but Rowley is also said to have been taking a particular interest in Deulofeu.

Deulofeu’s style as an attacking midfielder and winger has drawn comparisons to Ronaldinho. He is well known for using his pace to cut inside defenders, makes runs into the box and is said to have a good eye for goal. It is possible that Arsène Wenger sees him as a potential replacement for Andrei Arshavin who, at the age of 30, is no doubt nearing the end of his Arsenal career.

The fact that Wenger seems to be signing many youngsters (Toral, Bellerin, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Miyaichi and potentially Deulofeu) will please many Arsenal fans who sense that the club is looking to the future. That said, we still need to sign another world-class striker and convince Robin van Persie to sign a new contract. Although all these new young signings are brilliant, I would like to see a few more “big name” signings join the club first. The club’s short-term needs need to be satisfied before Wenger looks to the long-term.

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