Arsenal join race for 15-year-old Dortmund midfielder likened to Bellingham

Arsenal have been identified as serious contenders to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Justin Ejodamen, a 15-year-old who has drawn widespread comparisons to Jude Bellingham, according to a report from TEAMtalk.

Ejodamen’s profile has attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Barcelona reportedly leading the chase. AC Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, and Arsenal are also said to be tracking the teenager, whose style and potential have been likened to Bellingham, who joined Dortmund as a 17-year-old before becoming one of the world’s best midfielders.

Arsenal’s recruitment team has been monitoring Ejodamen’s performances and may look to move for him when the opportunity arises — but the club faces a significant structural barrier. Ejodamen turns 16 in April, after which clubs within the EU will be permitted to sign him. English clubs, however, are unable to register him until 2029, placing Arsenal and Chelsea at a considerable disadvantage compared to their continental rivals.

Dortmund are reported to be confident of retaining the midfielder, pointing to their well-established track record of developing young talent into world-class players. Ejodamen was born in Germany but currently represents Italy at youth international level and is also eligible to play for Nigeria.

Elsewhere in Arsenal’s transfer news, former Gunners midfielder Fabio Vieira has spoken publicly for the first time about the anxiety he experienced in the closing days of the summer window before completing a deadline-day move to Hamburg. The German club, where the 26-year-old spent last season on loan, were reluctant to meet Arsenal’s asking price for much of the summer, with negotiations described as intense and neither side initially willing to move.

Vieira’s desire to join Hamburg permanently was never in doubt — he was clearly not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans at the Emirates — but the protracted saga left him in limbo until the deal was finally concluded.

On the pitch, Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United on Saturday, looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break. Arteta will be monitoring the fitness of Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis, both of whom picked up knocks on international duty, while Martin Odegaard appears to have recovered from a challenge sustained during Norway’s fixtures.