Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to keep an eye on the progress of 19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg starlet Oscar Gloukh.
The teenager caught the eye of clubs across Europe during the Under-19 European Championships in the summer of 2022, where he registered three goals and two assists during Israel's run to the final.
Gloukh and his teammates experienced heartbreak in the trophy match, suffering a 3-1 loss to England after extra time, although the 19-year-old broke the deadlock in the final and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Gloukh was still plying his trade with boyhood club Maccabi Tel Aviv at that point, but midway through the 2022-23 campaign, he joined the renowned factory of youth at Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg.
Maccabi Tel Aviv received just £6m for the sale of the 2004-born protege, but his stock has continued to grow during his time in Austria, where he has amassed eight goals and nine assists in 45 games across all competitions.
Gloukh won the Austrian Bundesliga title in his first half-season at the club, and he has taken his goalscoring exploits to Europe in the 2023-24 season, netting against Inter Milan and Benfica in the Champions League.
Salzburg's European campaign ended in the group stage, but Gloukh has another four goals and four assists to show from 18 top-flight matches, as well as setting up two strikes in four games in the Austrian Cup.
Predominantly pulling the strings from the number 10 position, Gloukh's contract with Salzburg runs until the summer of 2027, but he is already being tipped to test himself in the Premier League.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal - who are rumoured to be leading the race to sign the Israel international - deployed scouts to run the rule over Gloukh during Salzburg's showdown with Blau Weiss Linz at the weekend.
The teenager failed to register a direct contribution in that 1-1 draw, but a lively performance from the left wing saw him create five chances and complete five dribbles, albeit while also firing four attempts off target.
Despite taking concrete steps to add Gloukh to their ranks, Arsenal could supposedly face competition from Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona for the playmaker, who has scored three goal in 12 matches for Israel since being promoted to the senior squad.
While the 19-year-old is most comfortable in an advanced area, he has also formed part of a midfield trident in a 4-3-3, and spaces could open up for additions to the Gunners' engine room this summer.
Both Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are due to leave the club as free agents this summer, and even though the former's terms include a one-year extension option, it is unclear whether it will be triggered.
In addition, the Gunners are reportedly prepared to entertain offers for Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe, both of whom have been struck down by a multitude of injuries during their Arsenal careers.
Mikel Arteta's men rose to second in the Premier League table with a 5-0 hammering of Burnley on Saturday, and they are next in action against Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 affair on Wednesday. body check tags ::
