Arsenal are pursuing Fluminense teenager Rafael Resende, according to Calciomercato.it.
The 18 year old is also being pursued by both Barcelona and Roma, the Italian website reports, with the Brazilian being widely praised for his performances at youth level for both Fluminense and Brazil.
The midfielder has been compared in style to Barca’s Ivan Rakitic; an offensive player with an eye for goal and a good passing range. He will however miss the chance to play for Brazil at the Under 17 World Cup in India which starts in early October due to injury.
The Gunners do have past dealings with his team Fluminense after signing Wellington Silva from the Brazilian club back in 2011, but relations may have soured after Arsenal’s botched attempts to buyback the winger and sell him on to Bordeaux for a profit in the summer, only for the 24 year old to fail a medical, and return back to Brazil.
