ARSENAL are keeping tabs on a rising star who has been compared to Chelsea legend Michael Essien, it’s claimed.
The Gunners, though, face competition from Premier League foes Bournemouth ahead of the January transfer window.
According to The Mail, the North Londoners are eyeing Nordsjaelland ace Caleb Yirenkyi who is enjoying an impressive season in Denmark.
Arsenal see the young prospect as one for the future, while Bournemouth rate him as a player that can immediately join the fold under manager Andoni Iraola like other uncut gems did in the past.
And Yirenkyi, 19, is currently rated at £20million, which would make him a bargain deal.
The Ghana international reached new heights this season when he was moved to a holding midfield role.
The youngster started out as a right-sided midfielder and even played at right-back on his international debut in May,
However, Nordsjaelland manager Jens Fonsskov Olsen turned him into a defensive midfielder.
And that took place under the watchful eye of Yirenkyi’s legendary compatriot Essien, 42, who works as assistant manager for the Danish outfit.
The Ghanaian ace’s transformation at No6 has been so impressive that it ultimately led to fans and pundits likening him to the Chelsea great.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
And the versatile midfielder admits Essien‘s presence in the team has played a big role in his development.
Yirenkyi previously said: “Michael Essien impacts every player. He helps everyone at Nordsjaelland, we learn a lot from him.”
The teenage sensation has amassed one goal and two assists in 16 appearances across all competitions this season.
This adds up to the total of three goals and four assists in 34 appearances he has registered since joining Nordsjaelland from Ghanaian outfit Right to Dream, which is a sister club of his current team, in 2024.
