Arsenal scouts in Brazil have highlighted Palmeiras midfielder, Alan Guimaraes as a player that could fit our style of play at The Emirates, according to reports from The Mirror.

This has made the club hierarchy consider moving for the midfielder but already face stiff competition from top clubs in Europe including Real Madrid, the only club side in Europe to have not lost to Spurs this month out of all the teams which have played them.

A report in Sports Illustrated via The Mirror (who only read it for the articles) says that Madrid have already verbally agreed a deal with the player but there is still nothing concrete yet.

Guimaraes can play as both an attacking midfielder and as a central midfielder, the 17 year old joined Palmeiras in January 2014 from São Caetano and has a contract with the South American side until which runs until 2019.

Giroud scoops award

He has also played for Brazil under 16 and has been touted as one of the best right-footed talents in Brazil.

It will be interesting to see whether Arsene Wenger still has the same attraction for young players when the richer clubs have already expressed an interest – will they still come to The Emirates, or will the temptation of the ‘bigger’ clubs be too much?