Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle Real Madrid for the signature of highly-rated Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor ahead of the summer transfer window, Footynaija.com understands.
Still only 18-years-old, Ahanor is quietly building a reputation as one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe, following a string of assured performances for Atalanta this season.
The Nigeria-eligible youngster, who joined La Dea from Genoa last summer, has already clocked over 1,000 minutes of senior football, while displaying a level of composure and maturity that belies his age.
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Comfortable operating both at center-back and full-back, Ahanor’s versatility has become a major talking point, with top clubs across Europe now keeping a close eye on his rapid development.
Real Madrid are believed to be have set their sights on Ahanor, as they continue to assess long-term defensive options, but they are unlikely to get a free run at the teenager as both Arsenal and Liverpool are also considering a summer move according to Caught Offside.
The Reds potentially offer a more immediate pathway into the first team amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of key defenders like Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez heading into next season.
For the Gunners, their interest appears more long-term. The depth of options already available to Mikel Arteta raises questions about whether consistent game time would be guaranteed for a player at Ahanor’s stage of development if a move to the Emirates does materialize.
Despite growing external interest in Ahanor, Atalanta are in no rush to part ways with one of their prized assets and are expected to demand a fee in the region of €50 million to even consider a sale.
