According to The Sun, Arsenal are ready to rival Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in the pursuit of Karamoko Dembele. The Celtic wonderkid is regarded as one of the best talents in the world and it is believed that the Gunners may have the upper hand, having done business with Celtic earlier this summer. Nonetheless, they are expected to face stiff competition with Borussia Dortmund also interested.
Dembele is one for the future
A product of the Celtic youth academy, Dembele has been making waves in the Scottish youth leagues since the age of just 13. He was, in fact, drafted into Celtic’s U18 at the age of just 15, thanks to his blazing performances in the youth competitions.
The 16-year-old shined for the U18s as well last season. As a result, he was promoted to the reserve side this summer. He has already made his senior debut for the Celts when he featured as a substitute in the win over Heart of Midlothian during the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Dembele is yet to feature for the Scottish giants this season. But, his performances in the junior level has raised a lot of eyebrows, with Arsenal, Dortmund, Juventus and PSG all interested in acquiring his services.
What are his strengths?
A right-winger by trade, Dembele’s style of play can be compared to someone like Lionel Messi. The youngster likes to drop deep and pick-up balls in midfield. Then, he uses his quick feet and clever movements to get the better of the defender. He is also blessed with a good amount of pace and is capable of doing quick turns or burst of pace that allows him to easily dribble his way through.
Dembele is also technically astute and normally has a good understanding with his teammates. This is why he had such an impressive track record while playing for the Celtic youth teams.
Where will Dembele fit in at Arsenal?
Dembele could be a smart long term investment for Arsenal. Their manager Unai Emery has already built a nice foundation as he plans to usher in a new era at the Emirates. Youngsters like Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli have received opportunities to impress this season and have impressed as well.
Dembele, to that end, could be another excellent addition to the youth ranks of Arsenal. Although it is unlikely that the youngster will be drafted into the first-team right from the beginning, he can be utilised as an excellent back-up for Nicolas Pepe. And at the age of 16, the young attacker is more than just a prospect for the future.
