Reports: Arsenal set to trigger the release clause of Barcelona star

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Arsene Wenger might have found a gem

What's the story?

Premier League club Arsenal are prepared to trigger the release clause of Barcelona winger Jose Arnaiz according to Spanish media outlet Marca. The 22-year-old player has a buyout clause of €20 million in his contract if the report is to be believed.

In case you didn't know...

Jose Arnaiz is a 22-year-old winger who plays for La Liga side Barcelona's B team. The Spaniard joined the Catalan club from Real Valladolid for a fee of €3.4 million in the last summer. He had scored 12 goals from 41 games for the La Liga 2 side during his two-year stint with them.

The youngster was sent to the Blaugrana's B team initially and has scored six goals from 16 appearances. Arnaiz made his senior team debut for Barcelona on 24th October 2017 in a Copa Del Rey match against Real Murcia. The player took his chance and scored the last goal in the team's 3-0 win.

Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo had earlier claimed that Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich had contacted Arnaiz's agent in October. The report even claimed that Bayern Munich view the player as a suitable replacement for star man Franck Ribery, while the two Premier League clubs consider him as a perfect fit for the English football.

The heart of the matter

Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in the player and trigger his reported release clause of €20 million in January. With Alexis Sanchez expected to move to Premier League rivals Manchester City, the Gunners are in need of new attacking players and Arnaiz could be one of them according to Marca.

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Author's take

While Arnaiz might not be a regular first-team player for Barcelona, the Spaniard is known for his ambidexterity, dribbling and finishing. The 22-year-old is a talented attacker and was even praised by the Catalan club manager Ernesto Valverde for his 'self-assuredness'.

Arnaiz cannot be expected to go straight into Arsenal's starting line-up, but the youngster can develop into a star in the future.

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Edited by Amit Mishra