The 17-year-old winger has made big strides this season.

Portuguese publication Recordclaim Arsenal are keen to sign him, with the Gunners a potential destination due his agent Kia Joorabchian’s good relationship with Premier League clubs.

But the Gunners aren’t the only club tracking the Sporting prodigy.

A Bolaclaim La Liga giants Barcelona have joined the race. Sporting, meanwhile, are looking to tie him down to a new five-year deal.

Joelson’s current contract at the club expires in 2022.Goalclaim his release clause is £40 million – a figure Sporting will surely hope to increase.

The Portuguese club have long brought through top young players. Ricardo Quaresma, Luis Nani and of course Cristiano Ronaldo to name a few.

Joelson, like the abovementioned, is also a wide player full of promise.

Arsenal’s best shot of competing with the likes of Premier League title-chasers Liverpool and Manchester City is to buy young stars and develop them.

The Gunners’ lack of Champions League football makes it difficult to attract established stars, while financially the club will struggle to compete with the likes of City.

Joelson, however, is still raw and £40 million plus is a lot of money to gamble on a 17-year-old regardless of his burgeoning reputation and alleged Barca interest.

Source:Hitc