Arsenal Transfer News: Sidiki Maiga Wanted Amid Real Madrid, Barcelona Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a potential move for 16-year-old Mali star Sidiki Maiga following his impressive showing at the recent Under-17 World Cup.

According to Spanish outlet Sport (h/t the Daily Star's Alex Harris), the young striker has also drawn interest from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Maiga currently plies his trade at Malian outfit AS Real Bamako and cannot sign a professional contract until he is 18 years old—he turns 17 in December.

While the Gunners are tracking him, Barca reportedly have designs on securing a first refusal on Maiga, per Harris' report. 

He netted three times in seven matches as Mali made it to the final of the World Cup in Chile earlier this month, scoring twice against Korea DPR in the last 16—see below per FIFA—and once against Belgium in the semi-finals:

Mali lost 2-0 in the final to Nigeria but Maiga was one of the standout players of the tournament.

He can also operate as a winger and his pace and close ball control have seen him excel at youth level.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is consistently on the lookout for young talent and Maiga's style of play looks as though it could be well suited to Arsenal's intricate tactics.

Maiga is undoubtedly a player for the future and has much room for improvement before he can make an impact at the top level.

However, the interest in him from major European clubs is an indicator of his enormous potential, and given his history of developing young players, Wenger could well have a major impact on Maiga if the Gunners can sign him.