Arsenal could hit Man Utd and Liverpool with major transfer blow by winning race for £3m wonderkid

Three of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are said to be ‘monitoring’ the progress of Israeli wonderkid Oscar Gloukh.

Arsenal are believed to have sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old attacking midfielder in action after he impressed for Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg and for his country during this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.

Gloukh was in impressive form when his side fell to a 3-0 defeat against England in the semi-final of the competition and became a key figure as his side suprassed expectations by reaching the last four. However, despite Gloukh’s display, goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer saw the Three Lions youngsters progress into the final before going on to win the Euros with a win over Spain.

Gloukh has hit the ground running during the early weeks of the new domestic season with Gunners scouts have watching on as he scored one goal and provided three assists in eight appearances in all competitions to help his side win all but one of their competitive fixtures during the first eight weeks of the campaign.

Who is Oscar Gloukh?

The young midfielder made his senior debut for Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in an Toto Cup tie against Hapoel Jerusalem in August 2021. At just 17-year-old, Gloukh became one of the youngest players in the club’s history but he was made to wait until April 2022 to make his league debut as he netted his first senior goal in a 1-1 draw with Maccabi Haifa.

By the time clubs across Europe began to show an interest in securing the talented youngster’s services during the January 2023 transfer window, Gloukh had scored nine goals and provided eight assists in just 33 appearances for his first club.

That led to a £5m move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg and Gloukh wasted little time in making an impact with his new employers, providing assists in wins against Rapid Vienna and LASK in his fourth and fifth appearances before finding the net in consecutive weeks against Klagenfurt and Austria Vienna just weeks later.

Gloukh has also progressed rapidly through Israel’s national setup at youth level earning caps at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level before claiming his first senior cap in a 4-2 friendly win against Zambia in November 2022. A first senior international goal followed days later in a friendly defeat against Cyprus days later and Gloukh has continued to impress, earning his eighth senior cap in last week’s Euro 2024 qualifying win against Belarus.

Which other clubs are interested in Oscar Gloukh?

Arsenal are not the only club believed to be showing an interest in Gloukh.

Although the report in The Sun does reveal Arsenal are monitoring the youngster’s progress, Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United are also said to have dispatched scouts to watch Gloukh in action for both his club and country.

However, several big name clubs across Europe are also said to have taken a keen interest in securing his services recently, with Ajax, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona named as previous suitors. Gloukh commented on the interest from the latter of that trio after finalising his move to Austria, saying: “I was very excited that (Barcelona) wanted me, but they were late for the bidding and came back when we had already closed the Salzburg deal. In the end, I think we made the right decision to go to Salzburg and not to Barcelona. It makes more sense for my development as a player."

Where could he fit in?

Although not the tallest in stature, Gloukh has already shown he can deal with the physical side of the game at domestic and international level. His ability on the ball and work-rate out of possession means there is little surprise to see Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp showing an interest in his development as he is showing plenty of the attributes that are hallmarks of their respective squads.

Looking at the style of play and the talent that would be around him, Gloukh seems the perfect fit for Arsenal and Liverpool and would be a shrewd addition for both Premier League clubs.