Kai Havertz scored a decisive late goal, leading Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners entered this match on the back of two disappointing results, having recently lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and suffered an unexpected defeat against Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal remains a formidable force in the Premier League, sitting at the top of the table with a nine-point cushion ahead of City as they approach the season’s climax.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be eager to see his squad bounce back with a win against Bournemouth this Saturday. Meanwhile, the club is reportedly keeping an eye on two promising young central defenders for the future.
According to reports from CaughtOffside, Arsenal has identified Jacobo Ramon of Como and Real Madrid’s Victor Valdepenas as potential transfer targets. The Gunners have long been interested in Valdepenas, a talented 19-year-old who made his senior debut for Real Madrid last December.
Arsenal views Ramon as a potential long-term replacement for Gabriel, who currently anchors their defence. The young defender, who joined Como from Real Madrid last summer, has made a notable impact during his debut season in Italy, accumulating 30 appearances in all competitions.
However, Real Madrid has inserted a buy-back clause into the transfer agreement, along with a 50% sell-on clause that will affect any future deal. Chelsea is also reportedly eyeing Ramon, whose value is expected to be significant this summer due to these contractual stipulations.
Ramon, now 21 years old, is under contract with Como until the end of the 2029/30 season. Yet, given the player’s impressive performances and the interest from top clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, it appears that the Serie A club may face a tough challenge in retaining him beyond the upcoming transfer window.
