Arsenal talent-spotters were reportedly in attendance in Braga on Monday night to watch highly-rated Bassem Srarfi in action against Portugal in an international friendly.
The 20-year-old had represented Tunisia for the final 14 minutes of the 2-2 friendly draw against the European champions and the Gunners are likely to continue monitoring his progress against England and Belgium at the summer World Cup.
According to Foot Mercato, the Gunners scouts had made the game with a view to track the young winger but they could only witness a 14-minute cameo from the youngster.
Despite this, the scouting team are expecting more chances to view Srarfi against tougher opposition at the World Cup and this may decide whether they will make a move for the Nice youngster.
Srarfi, who has also been linked with Leicester City, is likened to Riyad Mahrez, owing to him being left-footed and his tendency to cut inside from the right-wing.
He has made only 10 starts for Nice since breaking into the team regularly during the 2017/18 campaign and the World Cup could give a clear indication over Sven Mislintat’s judgement on the Tunisian.
Mislintat has been placed in charge of the transfer proceedings at Arsenal for the summer and there are indications that the German is keen on recruiting players with different experience.
Whilst the likes of Sokratis and Stephan Lichtsteiner will potentially more leadership and experience within the ranks, Arsenal are also looking into Freiburg’s Caglar Soyuncu, Srarfi among others, who could be seen as long-term prospects.
