Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Fares Chaibi in the January transfer window.
The Toulouse playmaker, 19, has impressed in Ligue 1 this season to catch the Gunners' attention. It's believed the Premier League club sent scouts to France to watch Chaibi in Toulouse's 2-2 home draw against Strasbourg in October. The teenager started that league game up front but is capable of playing in a number of positions.
Spanish outfit Sevilla are also thought to be interested in Chaibi, while Algeria are considering handing him a call up. The youngster is of Algerian descent but is also eligible to play for France, as he was born in Lyon. He's yet to earn international honours at any level.
Who is Fares Chaibi?
As reported by Foot Mercato, Arsenal have taken a shine to Chaibi. It's easy to see why, as he's been deployed in central midfield, attacking midfield, on the wing and as a centre-forward this term. As such, he could provide Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with good cover.
Arteta may decide to dip into the transfer market in January to boost his team's chances of winning the Premier League title. They are currently five points clear of favourites and champions Manchester City, and it will be difficult for them to maintain their position.
Some critics are concerned that signing an experienced, proven winner could upset the apple cart at the Emirates. At just 19, Chaibi is less likely to do that. Arteta may see him as a promising young player who can be moulded to suit his style of play.
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Arsenal have embarked on a policy of signing youngsters, as the likes of Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Takehiro Tomiyasu have all arrived in recent years. They've also promoted talented players from their academy - including Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
As well as being versatile, Chaibi has good natural attributes. The teenager is quick and stands at 6ft, but he's also technically gifted. That's helped him score two goals and provide four assists from a variety of positions this season, helping Toulouse sit safely in 12th.
Chaibi started his career at FC Lyon, who are not to be confused with French giants Olympique Lyonnais. He was snapped up by Toulouse in 2019 and handed his first professional contract in February. Lyon to Toulouse is around a five-and-a-half-hour drive.
The teenager is the brother of Ilyes Chaibi, who is also a footballer. The 26-year-old forward came through Monaco's academy and enjoyed spells in Austria and Morocco before spending three years at French minnows Thonon Evian. He now plays in Switzerland.
"We know where we are at the moment," said Arteta earlier this month when asked about Arsenal's transfer plans. "We know as well that we have certain injuries, and the squad is very, very short. We have tried to manage that in the best possible situation.
"It’s the same when we win a football match so no excuses. I said from day one that we have a short squad because at the end [of the summer] we let some players [leave]. It’s what we have. If everyone’s available and no one is injured we are OK."
