Arsenal face battle to sign Klopp's latest wonderkid

Cameron Smith

21 Oct 2024 09:00 BST
3 min read

Arsenal are reportedly set to face serious competition in the race to sign Red Bull Salzburg youngster Oscar Gloukh.

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The Israel international has attracted significant interest from a number of clubs over the past year and he is set to be involved in a transfer tug-of-war in 2025.

Gloukh will have just two years remaining on his current RB Salzburg contract when the summer transfer window opens next year, and the Austrian giants are prepared to sell him for a fee of around €35 million.

That is according to CaughtOffside, who report that Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have all shown “strong interest” in signing the 20-year-old.

Furthermore, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City are also reportedly monitoring Gloukh’s progress at RB Salzburg, while Barcelona and Manchester United have both been linked with a move over the past few months.

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal sent scouts to watch Gloukh in action at the start of 2024 as Mikel Arteta’s side eye a new attacking midfielder to bolster their forward options.

Fabio Vieira is due to return from his loan spell back at FC Porto next summer, but the Portuguese star has largely underwhelmed during his time at Arsenal, while Emile Smith Rowe was sold to Fulham in August.

© IMAGO - Arsenal want to sign Oscar Gloukh

Oscar Gloukh: Jurgen Klopp’s latest wonderkid

Jurgen Klopp’s new role as global head of soccer at Red Bull means he will play a key role in Gloukh’s development over the next year.

The former Liverpool boss will advise all Red Bull clubs on their playing style, coaching philosophy and transfer decisions, with Gloukh expected to develop nicely under the German’s watchful eye.

The 20-year-old already has five goals and two assists in seven league games so far this season, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €14m.