Arsenal 'interested on 18-year-old Angers protege Jean-Matteo Bahoya'

The Scoistes academy product - who has been on the books at Angers since 2014 - broke into the Angers first team in the 2022-23 season, making 10 Ligue 1 appearances before his side's demotion to the second tier.

Bahoya has made a name for himself in Ligue 2 this term, coming up with five goals and two assists from 19 second-tier matches, despite only making the first XI on six occasions.

The 2005-born attacker is most comfortable in the number 10 position, but he has also been deployed as a left-winger and centre-forward for Angers this season, banking six of his seven direct contributions as a substitute.

At international level, Bahoya has already earned four caps for France's Under-19s, starting at left-wing in two Euros qualifying victories over Estonia and Iceland in November.

The teenager is under contract at the Stade Raymond Kopa for another two-and-a-half years, having signed an extension at the start of December, but some of Europe's heavyweights could soon come calling.

According to L'Equipe - via Sport Witness - Arsenal have been alerted to Bahoya's progress in recent months, but the Gunners are only one of several teams hoping to prise the Frenchman away from Angers in the coming months.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Stuttgart and an unnamed Ligue 1 side are also said to be keeping tabs on Bahoya's progress, while AC Milan have had him on their radar for a couple of years now.

The report adds that several interested parties have now stepped up their efforts to sign Bahoya, who could leave Angers as early as January, but the French side are yet to receive an official bid.

While Bahoya would not be expected to play a prominent role in the Arsenal first team straight away, the Gunners' winter goalscoring woes need addressing, as they have slipped down to fourth place in the Premier League table after sitting at the summit on Christmas Day.

Mikel Arteta's men have only netted once in three successive defeats against West Ham United, Fulham and Liverpool, despite enjoying plentiful possession and firing numerous shots on goal in all three fixtures.

Across their last seven games in all tournaments - of which only one has ended in victory - the Gunners have managed a mere five goals, and a big-name number nine is on the transfer agenda.

A move for their rumoured top target - Brentford talisman Ivan Toney - is unlikely to come to fruition in January, though, and it has been claimed that the Gunners have even been approached to let another attacking option leave the club this month.

Reports earlier on Friday claimed that West Ham United have made contact over a loan move for the out-of-favour Emile Smith Rowe, who has just one Premier League start under his belt in 2023-24.

However, the 23-year-old is not thought to be looking for an exit from the Emirates, and Arteta also brushed off such speculation when questioned in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference.