Exclusive: Arsenal join race to sign teenage duo shining in Europa League, one is already a full international

12/17/2024 05:15 AM

• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Arsenal could be busy in the January transfer window.

Even after Edu Gasper left his role as Sporting Director at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta has stressed that January recruitment plans will not be impacted, as the Gunners look to get their 2024/25 campaign back on track.

Consecutive draws to Fulham and Everton have seen Arsenal slip to third in the Premier League – six points off Liverpool who also have a game in hand.

Therefore, the Gunners could do with some bolstering in January – and TBR Football understand Arsenal have now joined the race to sign two players who are currently starring for Olympiacos at the age of 17.

Arsenal want Charalampos Kostoulas and Christos Mouzakitis

Sources have now informed TBR Football that Arsenal are keen to sign Charalampos Kostoulas and Christos Mouzakitis from the Greek giants.

The teenage duo have been regulars in the starting XI under Jose Luis Mendilibar this season, even playing frequently in the UEFA Europa League as Olympiacos sit 15th in the table, losing only one of their six outings so far.

Mouzakitis – a holding midfielder – is even a senior Greece international already, as a result of his outstanding performances in the No.6 role for Olympiacos.

In regards to Kostoulas, the Athens-born wonderkid is a striker, scoring three goals in 11 Super League appearances so far this season.

TBR Football have been informed that Arsenal sent scouts to Athens last Thursday to watch the Greek duo play in a 0-0 draw against Twente, sensing an opportunity for a potential bargain with both players seeing their contracts expire in June 2026.

However, sources have also informed TBR Football that other Premier League sides are scouting Kostoulas and Mouzakitis, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool doing their homework on the youngsters too.

Charalampos Kostoulas and Christos Mouzakitis could join exclusive list

If Arsenal – who still like Dusan Vlahovic – do manage to strike a deal with Olympiacos, Kostoulas and Mouzakitis would become only the fourth and fifth Greek players in the club’s history.

As things stand, only three Greek footballers have appeared for the Gunners in Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Stathis Tavlaridis.

Therefore, if moves materialised for Kostoulas and Mouzakitis, Greek Arsenal fans would surely be very excited.