Arsenal are interested in securing the services of Dutch winger, Alessio Da Cruz. The 20-year-old forward has impressed with his performances for Serie B club Novara in this campaign which has seen him score five times in 12 starts. The Daily Mirror are reporting that Arsenal are among a whole host of clubs to have monitored the youngster’s progress this season. The Novara player has caught the eye with his dazzling displays in Serie B with Premier League clubs Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton joining the Gunners in the hunt for his signature.
Alessio Da Cruz began his career with FC Twente before moving on a free transfer to Italian second division club, Novara. He has also experienced football with Ajax’s youth team and has been touted as one of the brightest prospects in Serie B right now.
He was scouted at the mere age of 10 by Ajax Amsterdam before making a move to Almere City and Twente, where he graduated from the first team. The former FC Dordrecht player featured in 36 matches for FC Twente’s U-19 and U-21 sides where he scored 13 goals and notched up two assists. His impressive displays at youth level earned him a first-team call-up at Twente but he failed to keep up the same level of performance and only featured four times for the FC Twente senior team.
Since his move to Novara Calcio 1908, the Dutch youngster has made 14 appearances for the Serie B club scoring five goals and making two assists.
Alessio Da Cruz can operate in either flank or as a striker. His versatility has made him a suitable candidate for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners. The French manager has a history of eyeing future stars from other European leagues and turning them into first-team starters as evidenced by the current first-team duo of Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin. Both players joined the Gunners academy at a young age, eager to make an impression and things have turned out well for them under Wenger.
The 20-year-old Novara striker has also represented his country Netherlands at the U-18 level and has six international caps to his name.
However, he is yet to score for his nation so far. He is under contract at Novara until 2020 so any potential move might take place in the summer. It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger decides to splash some cash in January as they look to reclaim a place in the top four this season. The Gunners are currently a point off Liverpool, who are sitting in fourth place in the Premier League standings.
