ARSENAL are tracking Hajduk Split star Rokas Pukstas as they consider making the teenager their next American signing.
Pukstas is an attacking midfielder who does his best work inside the box.
The USA Under-20 international has been likened to Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller for his ability to sniff out chances and fulfil a variety of roles.
The son of a former Lithuanian Olympic athlete, he came through the Sporting Kansas City youth set-up and spent time at FC Barcelona’s only stateside academy before moving to Europe.
Pukstas made swift progress through the Hajduk Split youth teams and impressed dozens of scouts from major clubs when he scored in last season’s UEFA Youth League semi-final win over AC Milan.
Now an established first-team regular, the Gunners could come knocking for him next year.
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The club keeps tabs on many talented American players with breakout potential.
Arsenal have actively recruited from across the Pond since Arsene Wenger was in charge.
The list of those who made North London their first stop across the Atlantic includes Daniel Karbassiyoon, Gedion Zelalem, Matt Turner and Auston Trusty.
Karbassiyoon, who joined the Gunners in 2003, is now a senior figure in the club’s recruitment department.
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Owner Stan Kroenke knows the marketing potential of having a current US star on the club’s books and Pukstas appears to be on the right trajectory.
The 19-year-old scored his third goal of the campaign with an audacious near-post flick last month to give the Gunners a timely reminder of his ability ahead of the January transfer window.
Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija reported Arsenal would have a representative at Hajduk’s game against Gorica on Saturday where the youngster performed well in a routine 3-0 home win.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
