Arsenal have sent scouts to keep tabs on Botafogo midfielder Matheus Fernandes in recent times, according to a report from Calciomercato.
The Gunners are said to be among a host of clubs who have watched Fernandes in action, as he continues to impress in his homeland of Brazil this season.
Fernandes is a 20-year-old midfielder who is known to be technically gifted and tactically astute, operating in central midfield for Botafogo.
The Brazilian is a wanted man, according to reports, and Spanish club Villarreal are understood to have joined Arsenal in scouting the player. Fernandes has also been the subject of a proposal from an unnamed Bundesliga club, it is claimed.
Calciomercato’s report also states that Genoa have established an interest in signing Fernandes, with the youngster stated to be more attracted to Italian football than German.
Arsenal do not appear to have firmed up their interest since watching Fernandes in action. If they are indeed keen to recruit the midfielder, though, it seems they’ll need to move quickly to fend off competition from across Europe.
