Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently commented that it was impossible to replicate the production of Barcelona's La Masia Academy – he would have known having spent time there as a youth player. However, that doesn't mean there isn't top talent coming through in London Colney, and indeed talent that Barcelona are interested in.
Centre-back Ayden Heaven is one of the most promising players to come through the Arsenal Academy, but the Gunners are in a difficult contractual situation. Heaven's deal expires at the end of the season, and although they have offered a new deal to the 18-year-old, a number of other top sides are also interested.
Barcelona, along with Eintracht Frankfurt and Manchester United have all made approaches for the sky, and Fabrizio Romano claims the Red Devils are leading the race for his signature. The Italian claims United are confident of getting a deal though, and heaven was present at Old Trafford on Thursday evening to watch United squirm past Rangers at Old Trafford with a stoppage-time goal from Bruno Fernandes.
The Catalan side generally has an advantage when it comes to recruiting youth players. Beyond their prestige, the Catalan capital's track record of introducing young players is evidence of a belief in young talent beyond most other top clubs. The trade-off is that the financial compensation is likely to be much lower in Barcelona than other comparable places.
In central defense, Barcelona have a number of options, but there is uncertainty over the futures of Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia going into the summer. Heaven made their debut with Arsenal in the EFL Cup earlier this season, making 10 minutes against Colchester, but otherwise featured in their under-21 side, earning two caps for the England Under-19s.
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