Colombian sensation headed to London airport ahead of Arsenal move

Reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo has claimed that Arsenal are preparing a deal close to €20m for the signing of Porto’s Colombian playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero from Porto. English tabloid Metro has however taken the story to a different level altogether saying that the 21 year old is set to fly to London ahead of the move which they expect to be completed by Monday. The report has been based around respected journalist Diego Rueda who took to Twitter saying that Quintero is headed to London.

Rory Smith of the Times too tweeted that the Colombian is in the process of potentially becoming the Gunners’ fifth signing of the summer. The youngster first footsteps in Europe was during a loan spell at then Serie A side Pescara but Porto later bought the player and it was reported that the player would have a €40m transfer release clause. Though is confusion over the price tag, Arsenal’s €20m offer certainly shows that the London club mean business ahead of the 2014-15 season as they realistically want to mount a strong Premier League title challenge.

The attacking playmaker likened to James Rodriguez scored a goal in the World Cup against Ivory Coast sealed the South Americans’ passage through to the round of sixteen. However the player caught the eye when he smacked inthree goals in four appearances in Under-20 World Cup in Turkey which fuelled his senior debut against Cameroon in 2012.  

Quintero would seamlessly fit into Arsenal’s free flowing passing style and with reports that Santi Cazorla attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, the youngster would be a superb long term option. The question however is can Wenger fit him into the starting eleven immediately after having rejected the chance to sign Cesc Fabregas back from Barcelona, the Spaniard who later joined Chelsea. 

Quintero can also play the number ten role to utmost perfection thanks to his dazzling ability on the ball and the ease at which he gets past defenders. Moreover with Arsenal desperate to sign a quality striker the Colombian can also take up the mantle to support Giroud up front.