Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ezri Konsa and Alex Iwobi

Arsenal are reportedly one of five Premier League giants scouting Charlton Athletic’s young star Ezri Konsa.

That’s according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, who has suggested that Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have had representatives at Addicks games recently to keep an eye on the 18-year-old.

"Charlton are bracing themselves for January offers," added Kajumba, who also noted the defender is considered a prospect as bright as Joe Gomez, who made a move to Liverpool last summer.

Konsa has forced his way into the Charlton team this season under manager Russell Slade. Ed Aarons of the Guardian was impressed by the defender earlier in the campaign:

Although the teenager is playing in the third tier, to come into the XI and excel at centre-back given his relative inexperience is an impressive feat.

"Comfortable at centre-back, in central midfield, and also at right-back, the ball playing defender has been at the club since the age of 12," says the club’s official website of Konsa.

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With so many elite clubs said to be in for him, keeping the player at the Valley may prove to be tough. While Konsa is evidently developing well with Charlton, the lure of a team like Arsenal could well prove to be irresistible, as could a sizeable fee for the third-tier side from one of the aforementioned juggernauts.

Arsenal are well stocked in defensive positions and added a young centre-back in Rob Holding this summer. However, with hype growing when it comes to Konsa, it would be no surprise to see the Gunners swoop with the future in mind.

Alex Iwobi Discusses Potential Exit

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Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi has revealed the club were close to releasing him on numerous occasions before he signed a senior contract.

The 20-year-old is now a regular starter under manager Arsene Wenger and looks poised to enjoy a breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium. However, speaking to the Evening Standard (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal), Iwobi outlined how things could have been very different for him:

"

I was almost released at 14, again at 16 and just about got a professional contract after that.

Especially at 14, I thought I was very close to not making it. It was stressful as I was going through school, trying to balance that and make sure I was still signed for Arsenal. It was really difficult for me.

We usually found out in December who might be kept on but I kept on getting the question 'is he good enough?' So they extended it to see if I could do something and it went to March and then April. Luckily I did enough.

"

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Arsenal supporters will be delighted the club decided to keep the faith with the agile forward. After making his debut for the first team last season, Iwobi’s performances have seen him move up the pecking order in double-quick time.

In recent contests, he’s formed a dynamic front three alongside Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott. Per Squawka Football, the youngster has offered an incisive presence on the left flank:

Iwobi is a handful for defenders. Not only does he possess blistering pace and brilliant technical flair, the Nigeria international also has the physicality to bully opposition full-backs. Already, even in the cutthroat environment of the Premier League, that marriage of attributes is proving very difficult to contain.

While Arsenal supporters have long been desperate to see their club spend big money on star names, it’s vital there is organic growth at the club, too. Iwobi is a tremendous example to those currently in the setup and has been a significant bonus for Wenger in 2016.