Adil Aouchiche has been linked with a move to Leeds United (Getty Images)
According to a Twitter report (h/t Football.London), Arsenal are keeping close tabs on highly-rated PSG teenager Adil Aouchiche.
The 17-year-old Aouchiche is an academy graduate, who has been a regular for the PSG youth side since joining them in 2017, is touted to be one of the upcoming stars from the club.
French midfielder Aouchiche started to make a name for himself after featuring for the PSG youth side in the 2018-19 UEFA Youth League. He played in six of their games and contributed to the side with a goal against Napoli in the group stages.
With his performances improving rapidly with time, Aouchiche saw himself playing for the youth side once again this season in the UEFA Youth League. Aouchiche seems to have grown in stature as he bettered his last year’s displays by scoring once and assisting twice from four games this term.
At 17, Aouchiche is yet to sign a professional deal at PSG but his eye-catching displays for the youth side saw him make three appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s senior side. He also scored a goal in one of these games, giving a fair idea of the talent that he is.
The young midfielder, who plays in a more attacking role has also proved his mettle at the international level and was key to France’s semi-final run in the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championships. He scored 9 goals in 5 matches, setting the highest goal-scoring record in the European tournament, beating another Frenchman Odsonne Edouard, who previously held it.
Having scored 16 goals in 25 games for the French under-17 side, Aouchiche was soon promoted to the under-18’s where also he has continued his good form, scoring 2 goals from 12 matches.
Arsenal need a new playmaker in the side considering Mesut Ozil’s poor form in recent times. The 2014 German World Cup winner has started showing signs of ageing, with his performances taking a sudden dip in the last two seasons.
The 31-year-old has managed just one goal and two assists this season that has seen the Gunners face a sudden drop in rankings. Mikel Arteta’s side are currently lying a lowly 9th in the table and are in clear need of new faces in the attacking role.
Having shown enough promise both at the club and international level, the teenage Frenchman could be an excellent future replacement for veteran Ozil. Hence, it would be wise of Arsenal to rope in Aouchiche.
Apart from Ozil, Arsenal clearly do not have any other creative midfielders in their ranks. Hence, they could really do with a rising talent like Aouchiche. Moreover, he is still in his teens and can develop under the guidance of Arteta if a move happens. Having proved his mettle already, the young Frenchman could prove to be an excellent future investment for Arsenal.
