Latest reports have linked Arsenal with a move for Manchester City youngster Bobby Duncan. The 16-year old recently impressed while playing for England U-17s against Portugal. Duncan, the cousin of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, plays as a striker for Manchester City. He recently made the headlines after scoring the winner for his country while playing the under 17 internationals against Portugal.
His talent has impressed scouts and coaches alike and Duncan got the opportunity to train with the England under 20 national side. Duncan first grabbed attention when he scored a hattrick for the Three Lions under 16 team against Brazil and has ever since gone on to make rapid progress.
It is now being reported, that a number of clubs are looking for the signature of the young striker and want to lure him away from Manchester City. One of the clubs in the race for Duncan’s signature is Arsene Wenger’s team, Arsenal. The Gunners, under the tutelage of Wenger, are known to have a keen eye out for spotting youth talent and giving them a platform to build on.
If he moves to Arsenal, however, he would still have to wait a considerable time before getting any game time as he would struggle to find a regular spot at the senior squad at The Emirates. It would be damaging to the growth of the young striker who needs to keep playing regularly instead of at a club he knows already and extend his stay there where he is comfortable and can grow in confidence and potential.
As for Arsenal, Wenger will surely want the young talent’s signature and might as well give him a few Europa league and domestic cup outings as he is done with so many youth team players this season, if Duncan can impress.
If Duncan does prove his worth and forces his way into the team, Wenger will have to sell a couple of his strikers as it would be difficult for him to rotate 5 first team strikers in the same squad with Olivier Giroud and Lucas Perez likely to be the ones heading for the exit door.
Wenger already has Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez vying for the number 9 role in the club.
Duncan, at the age of 16, might be a promising player for the future and that is what might tempt Wenger and company more than anything to snap up the young English forward before he becomes world-class and a hefty price tag is placed on him.
