Argentinian star Angel Di Maria (right), seen
here playing at the U20 World Cup, is being chased by
Arsenal
Arsène Wenger has continued his policy of signing the
hottest young talent in South America with the acquisition of two
teenage stars, Angel Di Maria and Pedro. The pair will follow
Carlos Vela and spend next season on loan at the Spanish club
Salamanca.
Arsenal struck an accord with the Second Division club as a means
of giving them a European base to cream off some of the world's
best young players. The relationship began with Vela - a Mexican
striker - being "parked" at Salamanca last season as he did not
have the qualifications necessary to gain a work permit. Wenger has
yet to decide whether Vela will stay in Spain next season.
One of his two latest signings, Pedro, a 17-year-old Brazilian who
can play at left-back or at left-midfield was presented by
Salamanca yesterday. The club said he will train with them, then
spend two weeks at Arsenal before returning to Brazil until
October. Then he will be Salamanca's player for the rest of the
season.
Pedro, who can also play in attack, has already featured for the
first-team of the Brazilian club Figueirense but it is Di Maria who
is currently regarded as the more exciting prospect by the Arsenal
scout Giles Grimandi who has watched the 19-year-old at the
Under-20 World Championships in Canada.
In addition to the pair and Vela, Wenger has already also signed
the Brazilian Denilson, who has made the first team at Arsenal, as
he pursues a policy of targeting South America.
The American billionaire Stan Kroenke, meanwhile, has increased the
pressure on the Arsenal board by stating publically that he wants
further talks on the club's future.
Kroenke holds a 12 per cent stake in Arsenal and refused to sign an
agreement that he would not mount a formal bid within the next year
when he recently met chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director
Keith Edelman.