Arsenal

Arsenal & Chelsea Scout Belgian Starlets But Moyes & AVB Also Keen

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Tottenham were in the stands to run the rule over Belgian starlets Youri Tielemans and Junior Malanda on Monday night.

by
Transfer News Reporter
October 16, 2013

Although the summer transfer window is officially closed that doesn’t stop clubs working hard behind the scenes to prepare for future signings, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest gossip. Today, several Premier League clubs watch Belgian starlets.

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham were in the stands to run the rule over Belgian starlets Youri Tielemans and Junior Malanda on Monday night, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper claims that managers from the Premier League quartet sent representatives to Genk to watch Belgium under-21’s take on Italy under-21’s earlier this week, with a number of up-and-coming youngsters thought to be of interest.

The main attraction was Anderlecht’s highly-rated midfielder Youri Tielemans, who impressed after coming on at half-time as Belgium ran out 1-0 victors thanks to a strike from Watford’s Cristian Battocchio. The 16-year-old has been with Anderlecht since he was just 5 and progressed through the youth ranks before making his debut for the first team towards the end of last season.

The Mail claim that Arsenal and Chelsea have been showing an interest but they may face competition from rivals Tottenham and Man Utd with Andre Villas-Boas and David Moyes also sending their chief scouts to keep an eye on the talented youngster.

The report also suggests that the scouts took the opportunity to cast an eye over Junior Malanda, a defensive midfielder who joined Wolfsburg earlier this year before being loaned back to Zulte Waregem where he’s a first team regular this season.

The 19-year-old has represented Belgium at every youth level and is tipped to go on to become a senior international at some stage, but the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and United may have to wait if they want to bring him to England as it’s unlikely Wolfsburg will sell any time soon.

With Belgium currently a hot-bed for young talent, it’s no wonder clubs are taking in their under 21 fixtures. Who knows, Tielemans or Malanda could be the next Fellaini or Hazard.

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