Arsenal have finally, reportedly, made contact with Sporting CP regarding Joelson who was apparently on the verge of signing a new extension with the Portuguese side.

Joelson Fernandes with Sporting CP (Photo via Fernandes on Instagram)
Joelson Fernandes with Sporting CP (Photo via Fernandes on Instagram)

Joelson is a 17-year-old winger that Arsenal have been increasingly linked with since March this year. Represented by Kia Joorabchian, Arsenal’s new best friend, he was close to signing an extension until Arsenal got in touch ‘a few days ago’.

At the end of June, Arsenal were said to be readying an offer for the teenager who had a supposed release clause of €45m. Sporting wanted him to sign a new deal so they could increase that to €100m. Arsenal wanted to get in before they did.

So the story went until this point.

Now, Sport Witness report that A Bola in Portugal are saying his release clause is actually €60m, Sporting want it up to €80m and there was an agreement for it to be set at €70m.

Since Arsenal’s call, however, Joorabchian now wants it to remain at €60m for his pals in London.

Isn’t he nice? €60m for a 17-year-old with 24 first-team minutes and five goals, with two assists, in 28 u23 games. All at a time when Arsenal look to have no European football and no cash. What an absolute sweetheart he is.

Somehow, sadly, I feel we might find a way to pay it just to keep Kia and his chums happy seeing as this is how we buy players now.

Raul Sanllehi is achieving his number 1 goal at Arsenal