Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg prodigy Roko Simic, who is also a target for local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
According to a report by Transfer Market Web, Arsenal have joined the race to sign Roko Simic. The 18-year-old Croatian whizkid, who is currently on loan at FC Liefering, is also the subject of interest from the Gunners’ local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and is valued at around £7 million by Red Bull Salzburg.
Roko Simic joined Red Bull Salzburg from Lokomotiva Zagreb this past summer and was immediately sent to the Austrian giants’ feeder club FC Liefering. And the teenage prodigy has made a strong start to life in Austria, with nine goals in 12 games for Liefering.
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old also made his first-team debut for Salzburg, appearing as a late substitute against VfL Wolfsburg. His progress in short senior career has not gone unnoticed, with some of the biggest clubs in the world already setting their sights on him. And as things stand, Arsenal and Tottenham are hot on the trails of the Croatian forward.
Arsenal appear set to enter the transfer market for a striker amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Alexandre Lacazette. In fact, it is widely expected that the French striker will be on his way out of the Emirates as a free agent next summer if he is not sold in the January transfer window, although the Gunners have been advised to do so.
The interest from Tottenham, on the other hand, makes sense as well, considering Harry Kane’s long-term future is still not resolved. With Spurs continuing to be in a precarious position over the England captain’s future, it is prudent for them to keep their options open. Simic, though, would be a viable target even if Kane stays put, keeping the coming decade in mind.
Signing Simic might not cost a bomb either, despite the fact that he has recently signed a new long-term contract with Red Bull Salzburg. In fact, the 18-year-old is valued at around £7 million by the Austrian giants, a valuation that makes him quite an attainable target for Arsenal and Tottenham.
What now remains to be seen is if either of Arsenal and Tottenham make their move for the Croatian prodigy anytime soon. What will also be interesting to see is if Salzburg choose to offload Simic less than a year after first securing his services.
