Reports coming out of ESPN claim that Arsenal are heavily pursuing the services of Hamburger SV youngster, Josha Vagnoman. A host of Premier League and Bundesliga outfits are interested in the 17-year-old as well. The Head of Gunners Recruitment, Sven Mislintat was the first person to notice Vagnoman who was earlier reported to be worth £2.66m. Mislintat’s German connections might be enough to pry the fullback away from Hamburger, who is yet to agree upon a new contract.
Vagnoman had travelled to India with his Germany U17 teammates to appear for the FIFA U17 World Cup last year. He impressed plenty by taking the pitch for every single game of the tournament, helping his team enter the Quarter-Finals against Brazil.
He was also called up to train with Die Rothosen senior team earlier in the 2017/18 season and Bernd Hollerbach wanted to include him in the team for the match against Borussia Dortmund. Unfortunately, the teenager was not eligible due to the absence of a professional contract.
Vagnoman is a versatile presence on the defensive end of the pitch and can play on both sides of the pitch. He can fill in as a centre-back as well but will always be better suited to the wide areas due to his pace and technical abilities.
We got to see him take the pitch for the first time against Bayern Munich in early February. His team got swept by 6 goals but the player managed to show a hint of his enthusiasm. He was also kept on the bench for the next 2 league games against VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim. The youngster played 17 games for the Hamburger U19 team this season and scored once.
Prying him away from the hands of the bosses at Volksparkstadion will be tough but Arsenal are skilled at these situations, all thanks to the wonderful work of Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman always paid close attention to the club’s youth development program and even oversaw the rise of a number of prospects – Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin.
The Gunners also signed Konstantinos Mavropanos from PAS Giannina in the January window, who has looked mighty impressive in his 3 league appearances late in the 2017/18 season.
Earlier reports claimed that Arsenal might be ready to dump Krystian Bielik soon enough. The 20-year-old Polish defender has failed to meet expectations and is ready to quit the Emirates.
This will open up a promising spot for Vagnoman, who could one day flourish for the senior team. After all, Arsenal are currently short staffed in the fullback department. Bellerin is the only one available on the right and Sead Kolasinac is a defensive liability on the left.
Read More: Is Unai Emery The Man To Carry On The Legacy From Wenger And Get Arsenal On Track?
Nacho Monreal is currently 32, who will need to be replaced in a few more years. So it might be a good move for Arsenal and their new manager Unai Emery to make a move for the young German star in the summer transfer market.
