Arsenal sent scouts to keep close tabs on technically gifted midfielder ahead of January switch

Arsenal have sent scouts to keep close tabs on Botafogo playmaker Matheus Fernandes in recent times, according to the Calciomercato reports.

The Norht London club are said to be among a host of teams who have watched Fernandes in action, as he continues to impress in his homeland of Brazil this season.

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The 20-year-old Fernandes who is known to be technically gifted and tactically astute, operating in central midfield for Botafogo.

The Brazilian defender was an in-demand midfielder, according to reports, and Spanish club Villarreal are believed to have joined the Gunners in scouting the player. Fernandes has also been the subject of a proposal from an unnamed German club, it is claimed.

Calciomercato’s report also claimed that the Serie A outfits Genoa have established an interest in signing Fernandes, with the youngster stated to be more attracted to Italian football than German club.

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The Gunners do not appear to have firmed up their interest since watching the 20-year-old midfielder in action. If they are indeed keen to recruit the midfielder, though, it seems they’ll need to move quickly to fend off competition from top Euroipean teams.