Romano provides key update on Arsenal's pursuit of Barcelona wonderkid

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 8 Apr 2024 10:39 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are not in talks with Barcelona wonderkid Mikayil Faye, according to Fabrizio Romano, despite recent links with the Spanish youngster.

Faye, 19, is currently plying his trade for Barcelona’s B team and his form this campaign has attracted interest from across European football.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all expressed their desire to sign Faye, while Arsenal have also been heavily linked with a summer pursuit.

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However, Romano has revealed that the Gunners aren’t close to completing a deal for the teenager.

He told CaughtOffside: “There have been reports linking Mikayil Faye with Arsenal, but I’m not aware of negotiations or talks with Arsenal at this stage.

“Several clubs are monitoring him, he’s a potential big talent but first of all it’s Barcelona who have to decide what they want to do with Faye; keep him with the first team [or] sell for big money.

“Internal talks will follow in May, no negotiations are taking place with other clubs now.”

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Mikayil Faye to leave Barcelona

Reports from Spain have stated that Faye’s potential summer departure is ‘inevitable’ with Barcelona looking to raise funds for their pursuit of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.

Both Portuguese players are currently on loan at the club and Barca would like to sign them permanently.

Cancelo has even told Manchester City that he wants to sign for Barcelona this summer, as per recent reports.

However, white Faye’s future is yet to be decided, murmurs from the Spanish press have indicated that he is unlikely to leave Camp Nou this summer, with Barcelona eager to retain their best youngsters. Pau Cubarsi is the latest wonderkid to break into the Blaugrana first-team and he made his senior debut for Spain at the age of 17 in March.

Faye is expected to become the next La Masia teenager to make the jump up to senior La Liga football.