Arsenal and Chelsea to battle in the race to sign 22-year-old winger | OneFootball

Arsenal Step Up Interest in La Liga2 Starlet as Summer Plans Take Shape

Creative Vision and Raw Potential Drawing Arsenal’s Eye

As the Premier League title race intensifies and Champions League ambitions remain alive, Arsenal are not losing sight of the longer-term vision. According to TeamTalk, the Gunners have been scouting Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez, a 22-year-old creative force developing quietly but impressively in Spain’s Segunda Division.

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Described by scout Ben Mattinson as a “compact creative winger with excellent vision” who “loves to play quick passes and 1-2’s or through balls in behind the defence”, Hernandez appears to be a profile that fits Arsenal’s evolving needs under Mikel Arteta.

The club’s main priority remains securing a top-tier striker — with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak identified as the dream target — but the focus on wide areas has been growing.

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Why Hernandez Stands Out

Hernandez’s numbers are notable: 11 goals and 4 assists this season from the left flank for Deportivo. That’s not just production — that’s progression. Having emerged from Real Madrid’s youth system, he’s taken a less conventional path but is now flourishing as a senior professional.

While Nico Williams remains a high-profile target — and reportedly also of interest to Chelsea — the Hernandez link suggests Arsenal are casting a wider net. They are looking not just at established internationals, but also at players capable of evolving into first-team regulars.

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London Rivals Show Interest Too

While Arsenal have been scouting Hernandez regularly, it’s another London club who have made contact over a potential summer move. That adds a layer of urgency to the situation, with Deportivo believed to be demanding £30 million, plus performance-based add-ons.

Although the Spanish side play in the second tier, they’ve just renewed Hernandez’s contract — not necessarily to keep him, but to ensure they extract full value. Sources suggest a summer move is inevitable.

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Arsenal’s Forward Planning on Display

Hernandez might not arrive to start immediately, but the interest signals Arsenal’s commitment to smart recruitment. The Gunners are blending marquee investments with future-proof talent — and this could be another low-profile move with high potential upside.

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Now this is the kind of news that gets fans buzzing — not because Yeremay Hernandez is a household name, but because Arsenal are clearly thinking long-term. For years, the club’s recruitment has swung between extremes. But now, with Arteta and Berta pulling the strings, there’s a sense of strategy.

Hernandez feels like the next Gabriel Martinelli — not a blockbuster arrival, but a calculated risk that could explode into brilliance. £30 million may seem steep for a player in La Liga2, but the numbers and scouting feedback suggest he’s worth every penny.

He’s the type who thrives in Arteta’s positional play: tight control, quick interchanges, eyes always scanning for the next move. With Martinelli and Saka currently carrying the creative burden on the flanks, adding Hernandez into the rotation could unlock new dimensions — particularly against deep blocks.

It’s also a sign that Arsenal are prepared to act quickly, especially with other London clubs sniffing around. Fans will be encouraged that the club is scouting beyond the obvious names and laying the groundwork for future success.

If this one comes off, the Emirates could be welcoming a hidden gem — and a genuine difference-maker.