Arsenal Pursues Eintracht Frankfurt Star Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Arsenal has thrown their hat into the ring for the talented winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya of Eintracht Frankfurt. Sources indicate that Mikel Arteta has been a longtime fan of the dynamic player’s abilities, with scouts monitoring his progress six times in the past few months.
Rising Star in the Bundesliga
Bahoya, who made a move to Frankfurt from Angers last year for a modest fee of €12 million (£10.2m, $13.7m), has quickly made a mark in the Bundesliga. In his 18 appearances this season, he has netted three goals and assisted two others, including an impressive solo effort against Bayern Munich that garnered attention across Europe.
Player Profile
His remarkable speed, versatility in shooting with both feet, and fearless dribbling skills—averaging 4.8 successful take-ons per 90 minutes—have drawn parallels to a young Ousmane Dembele.
Future Role at Arsenal
Arteta envisions Bahoya as a long-term replacement for Bukayo Saka on the right wing and sees his potential to contribute across the frontline. The player, recently noted as the fastest player in Bundesliga history, fits well into Arteta’s strategy.
Scouting Report
Arsenal scouts have observed Bahoya live on six occasions since September, and according to the club’s analytics team, he ranks in the 99th percentile among European wingers under 21 in both expected goals and progressive carries.
Difficult Negotiations Ahead
Securing Bahoya mid-season will not be easy. Eintracht Frankfurt is currently performing well, sitting in third place, and they are keen to retain their breakout talent until at least the summer of 2026. Even then, a significant transfer fee would be required to persuade them to sell.
Frankfurt’s sporting director, Markus Krösche, has publicly declared that they have “no intention” of selling during the January transfer window, indicating that they would expect an offer exceeding €60 million (£52.7m, $70m) before even considering negotiations.
Competition for the Young Talent
Despite this hefty valuation, interest from other clubs persists, with Tottenham, PSG, and Atletico Madrid reportedly making formal inquiries in recent weeks. Tottenham sees Bahoya as a perfect solution to energize their faltering attack, while PSG views him as a potential star with a ceiling comparable to emerging talents like Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.
Player’s Ambitions
Importantly for Premier League clubs, sources indicate that Bahoya is open to a move in January and aspires to compete at the highest levels of football.
With the transfer window approaching rapidly, a competitive bidding scenario is unfolding for one of Europe’s most thrilling young talents. Should Arteta wish to secure Bahoya’s services, Arsenal may need to meet the substantial asking price to outmaneuver rival clubs.