Arsenal Transfers: Arsene Wenger Targets Another Barcelona Wonderkid

In the UK, the Daily Mail reports that Arsene Wenger is once again preparing to plunder the riches of Barcelona's prodigious youth academy. Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley has been dispatched to run the rule over 17-year-old Gerard Deulofeu.

Deulofeu's capture would be the third raid on Barcelona's youth ranks by Arsene Wenger this summer. Spanish law prohibits teams from presenting players with professional terms before their 18th birthday. Arsene Wenger has eagerly exploited this technicality to uphold his principles of identifying and refining young talent.

Gerard Deulofeu is a player who certainly fits the Wenger mould. He possesses the creative instincts that are a basic requirement at Arsenal. A skillful attacker, Deulofeu would be an asset in wide positions. He is blessed with a quick turn and combines nimble footwork with outstanding dribbling skills.

Arsenal fans need not worry about the potential arrival of another Alexander Hleb. Deulofeu is not afraid to shoot. His twists, tricks and feints are all tailored to the purpose of always going forward and providing a goal threat.

The Barca academy graduate has drawn favourable comparisons to the great Ronaldinho. His inventive style makes him less an outright winger and more a genuine midfielder capable of attacking with pace from wide areas. Deulofeu could join Ryo Miyaichi and provide Arsene Wenger with younger and cheaper alternatives to replace Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin.

Arsenal fans have been able to enjoy the pleasure of watching Cesc Fabregas develop from a precocious but raw teenager, into the finest creative midfielder in world football. They were initially treated to a player with a keen awareness for the runs of his team mates and an innate ability to spot a defense splitting pass. As he progressed the scoring touch developed, as did an increased playing strength.

The news of yet another Barcelona prodigy being chased by Wenger may fail to ease the anxieties of an Arsenal following desperate for the arrival of big money signings. Yet a player as talented as Deulofeu would need less time to develop. His possible arrival should still be viewed as a reason for excitement and optimism. Having already secured the additions of Barca starlets Jon Toral-Harper and Hector Bellerin, there is the potential of seeing the next Cesc Fabregas develop at Arsenal.