Report: Arsenal in talks with player who Mikel Arteta has already worked with, Real Madrid also keen

Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Rabbi Matondo’s representatives ahead of a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, according to Todo Fichajes.

As well as the Gunners, Real Madrid are credited with an interest in the Schalke winger, while Chelsea have also thrown their name into the hat, claims the Spanish outlet.

Matondo joined the Bundesliga side in January 2019 for a reported £10million after turning down a new deal at Manchester City, following in Jadon Sancho’s footsteps by swapping England for Germany.

The 19-year-old has clocked up 23 appearances in all competitions for Schalke, including 16 this season, with 14 in the 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign, which has recently resumed.

According to Todo Fichajes, Arsenal have begun conversations with the four-times capped Wales international and his entourage in a bid to convince them of a switch to North London.

However, Matondo has also been singled out by Real, who are interested in a player said to be on the radar of “the great clubs in Europe”.

TBR View:

With Arsenal just one of the many teams expected to tighten their purse strings this summer in wake of current events, a player like Matondo isn’t likely to be prohibitively expensive given his relatively modest appearance and goal tally since moving to Gelsenkirchen.

That said, he is still very highly rated at Schalke and they’re unlikely to let him go without a fight, particularly when big clubs like the Gunners, Real Madrid and even Manchester United (Evening Standard) are said to be in the running.

Matondo is a talented, pacey young winger with great running ability and dribbling skills, often leaving defenders trailing on both the left or right flank – something Arsenal could very much do with next season.

Furthermore, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has previously worked with him, the two having been on the books at Manchester City and also working together when the Spaniard coached the Wales Under-16’s as part of his coaching A Licence back in 2015.

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