Arsenal given transfer boost in race to land German starlet

Hamburg head coach Markus Gisdol has dismissed claims that Chelsea have beaten Arsenal and Manchester City to the signing of striker Jann-Fiete Arp.

A report in the Mirror on Saturday had suggested that Arp was close to a move to Stamford Bridge, but speaking to Bild about the story, the Bundesliga manager said:

“Some write adventurous things. It’s almost ridiculous sometimes.”

Arp has excelled at youth level for both club and country, and has broken into Hamburg’s first team this season at the age of just 17. He scored in only his second senior game, in a 2-1 defeat to Hertha Berlin back in October, and he scored his second goal in a 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the start of this month.

His performances have impressed Gisdol so much that the starlet has started the club’s last three league games. The striker spoke out in the summer to reveal he had rejected an offer from Chelsea as he felt it was too much of a risk moving to another country at such a young age.