Arsenal are monitoring the progress of young Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno. However, according to Roberto Rojas, despite expressing genuine interest in the prodigious defender, a move is unlikely to materialise anytime soon.
The Gunners must wait till he turns 18 on the 3rd of April before approaching him. The talented 17-year-old has caught the eye of European scouts with his impressive performances in the Paraguayan top flight.
His attacking prowess has made him a highly sought-after prospect. The defender has already notched two goals in 11 league appearances for Cerro Porteno this season, including the winning goal on his debut against Sportivo Ameliano.
A move to Europe appears to be imminent for Leon if he continues to impress. Despite his tender age, Leon has adapted seamlessly to senior football, featuring in 80% of available minutes for Cerro Porteno this season.
Arsenal's interest in Cerro Porteño's left-back Diego León is genuine but looks unlikely to happen so soon, not until he turns 18 (April 3) at least.
A talented. yet raw 17-year-old still hasn't hit 1,000 minutes as a professional (11 first division games & 2 goals now)#AFC pic.twitter.com/5ZgjB930UF
— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) October 3, 2024
Paraguay has witnessed a recent influx of talent into the Premier League, with players like Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso making significant contributions. Leon has the potential to become the next figurehead for Paraguayan football, and his development will be closely watched.
While England would be an attractive destination, it remains to be seen if he possesses the necessary experience to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
Arsenal already have a host of left-back options on their books, with Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko battling for a first-team spot.
Besides the established two options, Mikel Arteta can also opt for one of Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, or Jakub Kiwior to cover the position if they get stretched.
Leon will be better served to find another team with a better route to the first term. Several Arsenal youngsters are struggling to find their way into the team, and the last thing the Paraguayan talent will want is to get stuck in that traffic. A move to a club of a lesser stature is his best bet.
