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ARSENAL have stepped up their pursuit of an 18-year-old branded the “new Cristiano Ronaldo” as they move to make sure the player is not snapped up by north London rivals Tottenham. Alvaro Vadillo has been scouted by many of Europe’s top teams but it appears Spurs and the Gunners are now in a head-to-head battle to secure his services.
Arsene Wenger is under serious pressure from supporters to land a few signings before the Premier League season kicks off, while Tottenham – who have already broken their own transfer record twice this summer – are expected to make as much as £100 million from the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
The Spanish winger has drawn comparisons with the Real Madrid superstar due to his poise on the ball, fondness for a trick, and dribbling ability on the left wing.
He possesses a similar build to that of the young Ronaldo and the early indications are his decision-making is more advanced than the Portuguese’s was at the same age.
Vadillo, having progressed through the Real Betis academy, became the youngest player to start a La Liga match when he made his debut for the senior side in a 1-0 away win at Granada in August 2011 aged 16 years, 11 months and 16 days.
In October of that year Manchester United reportedly had a £2.5m bid turned down, with his manager Pepe Mel suggesting he would soon be worth much more.
“We are studying offers for him and there has been a concrete one recently from a foreign team,” he was quoted in Marca. “But if he is worth 4 million euros today after playing 30 matches then, for example, he could be worth 12 million and so on.”
In only his fifth first team appearance, a collision with Sergio Ramos at the Bernabeu tore his cruciate ligament and kept him out for six months.
He used that time to learn English and returned last season to become a regular – but has yet to score for Betis.
This summer, at the Under 19 European Championship, he scored once during a 3-2 win over the Netherlands as Spain reached the semi-finals.-Sportsmail.
Online Reporter