Arsenal ready to trigger £41 million release clause to sign Joelson Fernandes

Arsenal are prepared to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Joelson Fernandes by triggering his £41 million release clause, according to A Bola. 

Joelson Fernandes is a 17 year old winger who is the latest graduate of the famous Sporting Lisbon academy that has produced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma. The young attacker’s qualities, ambition, position on the pitch and connection to Sporting have drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The Portuguese club have been in talks with the player and his representatives to tie him down to a new contract with a significantly higher release clause. There has been some resistance particularly with respect to a much higher buyout clause from the player’s father Eusebio Mango Fernandes and his agent Kia Joorabchian.

It appears that negotiations over a new deal have failed and the player has rejected the option of extending his stay with the club. He has two years remaining on his current contract with Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal are known to have a strong working relationship with Joorabchian and this is likely to work in their favour as they try to sign Joelson. They are committed to signing the player and are moving quickly to beat off competition for his signature.

The Sporting academy graduate made his debut for the club earlier this month against Gil Vicente FC and has gone on to make two more substitute appearances in the Portuguese league. In addition to Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus have shown an interest in Joelson.