Arsenal Transfer News: 'New Paul Pogba' Rayan Souici Targeted in Latest Rumours

Juventus’ multi-faceted young midfielder Paul Pogba may be out of Arsenal’s reach at the moment but, according Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, the Gunners are in the market for a young player set to follow in the Frenchman’s footsteps, Rayan Souici.

The 16-year-old currently plays for Ligue 1 side St. Etienne, and has been likened to the Bianconeri star because of his vast array of attributes. Souici—a France U17 international—has also admitted that Pogba is a player he looks to model himself on.

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“I have a model that I admire every day, it's Paul Pogba,” said the teenager, per Jones’ aforementioned piece. “Before my matches, I watch videos of him, he really is an exceptional player.”

Here's a look at why the Frenchman is basing his game on his established compatriot:

According to the piece, the Gunners have made enquiries about the youngster along with Liverpool and Manchester City. Given Arsene Wenger’s high standing in the French game and his reputation for refining young talent at the Emirates, Arsenal may well consider themselves favourites to land the midfielder’s signature.

The Gunners are in desperate need of a player in the Pogba mode and it’s encouraging that the club are supposedly looking at long-term options in that position.

But this kind of news will not sate Arsenal fans who are hoping that the club will make a stellar holding midfielder a priority when the January transfer window opens.

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For Souici, making such a massive move at an early stage of his career could be to the detriment of his development. With that in mind, expect him to stick around at St. Etienne—a fine Ligue 1 club with its own excellent reputation for developing young players—for a while yet.