Arsenal has reportedly made contact with Boca Juniors regarding the potential transfer of Ezequiel “Equi” Fernandez.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder, currently representing Argentina in the Paris Olympics, has emerged as a target for the Gunners, who are keen to strengthen their midfield options.

Fernandez, a key cog in Boca Juniors’ midfield engine, has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Arsenal and Porto, both of whom are said to have made contact. His impressive performances for both club and country have not gone unnoticed, with his ability to dictate play and break up opposition attacks earning him widespread acclaim.

However, Arsenal’s pursuit of Fernandez faces a significant hurdle in the form of a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Qadisiya. The Saudi side has reportedly tabled a bid of $17.5 million (£13.55m/€16.10m), surpassing Fernandez’s release clause while also offering Boca Juniors a 10% sell-on fee.

Despite the financial allure of the Saudi offer, Arsenal’s interest in Fernandez reportedly remains strong. The Gunners see the young midfielder as a potential long-term asset and are willing to compete with other suitors for his signature. The club’s reputation and the opportunity to play in the Premier League could prove to be decisive factors in their favour.

Fernandez’s potential departure would be a significant blow for Boca Juniors, who are already facing the prospect of losing several key players this summer. However, the club may be tempted to accept Al Qadisiya’s offer, given the financial windfall it would provide. That being said, it is certainly not an amount that would scare Arsenal from matching.

Arsenal were also linked with a move for Fernandez during the January transfer window when it was claimed both the Gunners and Brighton were interested in the young Argentine, who graduated from Boca’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2021.

At the time it was claimed that Boca “understand that Fernández’s long-term future likely lies in Europe, but they are determined to hold onto him for as long as possible. The club hopes to capitalise on his inevitable departure by securing a “large amount of money” when the time comes.”