Manchester City in line for Arsenal transfer battle over FC Copenhagen midfielder

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City could be gearing up for an intense battle over one of Denmark’s finest young emerging talents, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s are moving towards a second successive Premier League title battle this season, following exemplary starts to the new season despite the latter’s recent blips against sides in and around the top of the table.

Both Arsenal and Manchester City have been directly engaged in transfer negotiations over the past couple of seasons, and largely since the latter’s financial boost from Abu Dhabi, with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko being the two most recent exchanges.

However, a new report has indicated that the two teams could be lining up for a direct confrontation over a highly-rated name from the Danish game, amid interest from further afield in Europe.

That is according to the information of MailSport’s Adrian Kajumba, who reports that Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are among the European clubs watching Denmark’s England-eligible midfield talent Tristan Aldcroft Panduro.

It is detailed that scouts from numerous European clubs were in Spain in November to run the rule over the 15 year-old in games for Denmark against the Netherlands, Mexico and Saudi Arabia as his side won a four-team friendly international tournament in Alicante.

Given his status within Denmark’s international youth set-up, Panduro is reportedly rated as one of the country’s best young talents and captains their under-16 side, including at their success in Spain last month.

Interest in Panduro continues Manchester City’s trend of aiming to stay ahead of the competition when it comes to youth talents emerging across the globe, with the Treble winners and the wider City Football Group continuously linked to moves.

The latest reports have seen Manchester City tied to interest in Boca Juniors and Argentina youth international left-back Valentin Barco, with the teenager being tipped to make a move to the Etihad Stadium in the coming January transfer window.

An agreement for Barco would follow successive moves for Argentine talents in the last two seasons, building on successful pursuits of striker Julian Alvarez and midfield prospect Maximo Perrone – currently on loan at UD Las Palmas.