Arsenal and Spurs reportedly eyeing player who could be better than Alexander-Arnold

Earlier this month, Manchester United and Premier League legend Gary Neville insisted that Trent Alexander-Arnold, should he fix those well-publicised chinks in his defensive armour, could still become the greatest right-back ever to play the game.  

“We won’t just have one of the best attacking right-backs this country has ever produced, we’ll probably have the best right-back the world has ever produced,” Neville said of Liverpool’s number 66 during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage. 

“This is something unbelievably special.” 

With Malo Gusto going from strength to strength across the Channel at Lyon, however, Alexander-Arnold might not even be the finest right-back of his generation, let alone of all time.  

Can Malo Gusto be even better than Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Having only turned 19 in May, the France U21 international is certainly further along in his development than Alexander-Arnold was at the same age. He made nearly 40 appearances for one of France’s biggest clubs at the age of just 18 last season; starting both of the Europa League quarter-finals with West Ham United. 

And while his statistics aren’t exactly staggering just yet, that raw potential is there for all to see. Galo’s decision-making, confidence and end-product is remarkable for one so young. He’s already got that Alexander-Arnold-esque ability to locate a striker in a packed penalty area with laser-like precision.

In his first 48 league appearances for Lyon, he’s set up six goals. More than Alexander-Arnold across the same time-frame at Liverpool. 

• Arsenal and Tottenham are both interested in signing ‘punchy’ teenage speedster
• ‘Agreed a deal’: CEO explains why transfer of Tottenham ace collapsed

One of Europe’s most coveted teenage talents

10 months after signing his first professional contract, Gusto is already a target for a who’s who of European superclubs. Including Manchester City, Barcelona and Manchester United, plus Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. 

90Min, meanwhile, say that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have scouted the teenager in recent weeks too. 

“Rather attacking, punchy, powerful, fast, technically adept,” Gusto said recently when asked to describe his style of play; rattling off a list attributes he shares with a certain Merseyside-based England international. 

“And I think those are the qualities that a modern fullback should have today. I know I still have to work on my defensive positioning and tracking back.” 

He’s not wrong. Gusto can be reckless at the back. And, as you might expect given his age, has plenty of rough edges. But a player five years Alexander-Arnold’s junior has plenty of time on his side as he looks to iron out those kinks. 

In other news, Confirmed: Conte makes Ivan Perisic decision as Tottenham line up v Eintracht Frankfurt emerges