According to ESPN, as cited by Daily Star, Arsenal are among the clubs interested in the services of Gabriel Veron. The Palmeiras teenager has been one of the breakout stars in Brazilian football and is tipped to make a big-money move this summer. However, the Gunners could face stiff competition from Everton and Barcelona.
Who is Gabriel Veron?
A product of the Palmeiras youth academy, Veron made his debut for the club in late November of last year, in a 1-0 defeat to Fluminense. But, in the next game, he starred in a 5-1 victory over Golas, scoring two goals and providing one assist despite playing only 32 minutes of football. It was followed by another substitute appearance against Cruzeiro in the next game.
Veron was then eventually promoted to the Palmeiras first-team in January. He has since featured in only one game that came against Club Atletico Tigre in the Copa Libertadores. The youngster, however, is yet to make his first start for Palmeiras.
That being said, Veron has been a regular for the Brazilian U17 side. He has racked up decent numbers as well, scoring five goals in 16 appearances. And given his talent, the 17-year-old is destined to enjoy a more prominent role in the Palmeiras first-team when football resumes.
What can he bring to the table?
A right-winger by trade, Veron is touted as the future of Brazilian football. He has already mesmerised the fans with his nimble footwork and sheer pace that allows him to drift past opposing defenders easily. His relatively short 1.76m stature also helps him retain balance and keep hold of possession even under steady pressure.
However, what makes Veron such a sought-after talent is his vision. He is often on the lookout for that defence-threading pass – making him an excellent source of creativity. Additionally, the youngster is known for the clever use of his body movements, much like FC Barcelona sensation Ousmane Dembele. It is charmed by the Brazilian flair that has impressed the onlookers this season.
Should Arsenal invest in Veron this summer?
Veron, despite all his talents, remains a risky option for Arsenal at the moment. The forward has no experience at the highest level of football and is yet to even experience a full season in the Brazilian top-flight. Therefore, transitioning to a more fast-paced nature of Premier League football could be detrimental as far as his growth is concerned.
Moreover, Palmeiras is unlikely to let him go for cheap and Arsenal, in that regard, cannot afford to invest a lot of money in unproven attackers given their apparent financial shortcomings. Hence, Mikel Arteta should look elsewhere in search of offensive reinforcements this summer.
