Arsenal Transfer News: Maxi Romero Wants Move, Aims to Emulate Radamel Falcao

Velez Sarsfield striker Maxi Romero is inspired by the careers of Diego Maradona and Radamel Falcao and wants to secure his proposed move to Arsenal.

The 16-year-old remains close to joining the Gunners, reported by Darren Lewis of the Mirror. However, Rex Gowar of Reuters (h/t the Daily Mail) reports the clubs "have not reached a deal" just yet.  Romero recently spoke of his inspirations ahead of the potential transfer, suggesting he wants to emulate two Argentinian league greats, per Gowar. 

"I have the same dream (as Maradona), I want to play in the first division, become a champion with Velez and get to the World Cup and be able to win it," Romero said. "I want to try to do what Falcao does in the box, the aggression he has in the box no-one else has."

Romero possesses formidable size and power for his age, highlighted by The Telegraph:

He admits a move to Arsenal is an inviting prospect, saying, "I'm very interested in this proposal they have made to me but right now I'm concentrating on Velez. We are taking things bit by bit, we have to be calm."

The player's potential is highlighted below:

Romero also details exactly how the logistics of a switch to England would work, reported by Gowar.

"If the transfer comes off, my family would probably stay with me for two months then come back because their lives are here. I think my brother will stay there with me which is what I want," he said.

Lewis' report suggested Arsene Wenger's team is likely to pay £4.5 million for Romero, but Velez President Raul Gamez indicates the north London club haven't presented this figure thus far, per Gowar. 

"At this moment I have to say that nothing is certain and the talks have stalled on this matter," Gamez said. "We never agreed a fee and the figure that appeared in the media was not what Arsenal offered."

Games added that Velez "don't have a great interest in selling him" but that "the economic situation" could see Romero depart. Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe and James McNicholas recently discussed why Romero could be a success at the Emirates:

Wenger has always been committed to giving youth a chance at the north London club. Players such as Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have broken into the Gunners first team over the years, with the likes of Serge Gnabry and Chuba Akpom currently looking promising for the future.

As we've seen with the development of Aaron Ramsey—a player dismissed as a "flop" during his opening spell with the club—Wenger's belief in his purchases can pay dividends. Romero is yet to truly break into the Velez senior side, but a move to Arsenal in the next couple of years could significantly aid his development.

Cynical onlookers will question whether Wenger will be around to oversee his progress in the future. Even so, with UEFA's financial fair play rules making clubs spend carefully, unearthing a gem would be a major coup.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Romero is at the beginning of what could be a successful career, and snapping him up before the rest of Europe's elite are alerted may allow Arsenal to save vital funds for other investments.

Wenger has proven he is willing to spend well in the last two years—welcoming Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to the club—but it's just as important to remember the value of talented youngsters.

Although a deal is yet to be confirmed, Romero's name is now on the radar, meaning many others are likely to monitor his progress.