Arsenal Draws Links With Brazilian Fullback Right After Hector Bellerin Injury

Spanish publication, Mundo Deportiva claims Arsenal are among a list of 14 European clubs who are after Atletico Mineiro fullback, Emerson.

The 20-year-old’s agent has told the news outlet about the interests chiming in from Liverpool, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, FC Porto, Valencia and Real Betis.

Emerson was signed by Mineiro from Ponte Preta on a four-year contract. He has impressed for the Brazilian outfit so far, scoring a goal and laying out one assist in 25 appearances this season. He also has 4 caps to his name for Brazil U20 squad.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin picked up a season-ending ankle ligament injury in the 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. Unai Emery will have to shift responsibilities to veteran fullback, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Carl Jenkinson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

However, the Spaniard’s quality going forward will be a huge miss in the Gunners’ race for the top-four Premier League spots this season. Chelsea are still 3 points ahead even after the loss at the Emirates with Manchester United level in the 6th spot.

Both Jenkinson and Lichtsteiner’s contract is set to end after the current season. Emery has his hands full at the moment trying to finalise a deal for Denis Suarez and to bring in Gelson Martins from Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners do not have the funds either to go up against so many European heavyweights but they should definitely keep monitoring Emerson’s progress.

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