Arsenal plotting move for record-breaking France wonderkid as transfer plan revealed

Arsenal are plotting a move for PSG wonderkid Warren Zaire-Emery in the January transfer window, according to a report from France - although a deal cannot be officially completed until a later date.

The Gunners have missed out on two targets in the window so far, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix both joining Chelsea despite reported interest from Mikel Arteta's side.

In Mudryk's case, they submitted three bids to Shakhtar Donetsk for the 22-year-old Ukraine winger, but the Blues made a last-ditch offer to match Shakhtar's asking price and seal the player's signature.

Arsenal have since been linked with a number of alternatives, with Ben Jacobs claiming they have enquired about the possible signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.

They could also sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton for around £35 million, although Tottenham are also keen on bringing the Belgian in during January.

Whilst the Gunners remain laser-focused on signing a forward player, another intriguing transfer option has emerged - but it is one that they will have to wait a while to complete.

Arsenal interested in Zaire-Emery

According to RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, Arsenal want to sign PSG youngster Zaire-Emery in January.

However, Les Parisiens are desperate to keep hold of the 16-year-old in the long-term, and consider a move for him during the current window to be off the table.

He became PSG's youngest-ever player in August, when manager Christophe Galtier introduced him from the bench at the age of 16 years, four months and 29 days in a Ligue 1 fixture against Clermont Foot. Zaire-Emery had been promoted to the first team under the management of Mauricio Pochettino in the previous campaign.

Since making his league debut, the France youth international has since made eight appearances in all competitions, including making his Champions League bow against Maccabi Haifa.

And he started PSG's 1-0 league defeat to Rennes on January 15, partnering Vitinha in central midfield.

If Arsenal were to agree a deal for Zaire-Emery, he would not be eligible to officially move to the Gunners yet, due to FIFA rules which state that English clubs cannot sign foreign players until they turn 18 post-Brexit. Premier League clubs asked for this rule to be amended last year, as per the Daily Mail.

But the Gunners' interest suggests they are paying close attention to the young midfielder, and they could make an offer in January with a view to bringing him in for the summer of 2024, when he turns 18.