Arsenal are hard at work attempting to secure the next generation of talent from South America while also challenging at the top of the Premier League table under Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are understood to be eyeing up a deal to sign the Quintero brothers, Edwin and Holger. The talented teenagers have impressed scouts and the Gunners are now said to be ready to make a move.
The 16-year-old siblings have been watched by north London talent spotters for the past 12 months, per reports, and have stood out, rising through the ranks at Independiente Del Valle, with the Ecuadorian side building a stellar reputation for developing players. The Quito-based team have seen Chelsea‘s Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez, and Arsenal‘s Piero Hincapie graduate from their academy - and the Quinteros could be among the next talents to move to Europe.
It is said that Edwin is a skilful right-winger who is left-footed and has drawn comparisons with a young Neymar. Holger, meanwhile, has been likened to Thiago Alcantara and plays in a more central role in midfield.
The pair have earned caps in youth international football and have represented Independiente at prestigious youth tournaments, including the Next Generation Trophy.
Independiente have already agreed to sell a team-mate of the Quinteros. Chelsea struck a deal to bring in young centre-back Deinner Ordonez. Ordonez came through the age groups alongside the twin talents. The central defender will arrive at Stamford Bridge in 2028 after turning 18, in a similar manner to the deals that saw Paez and Estevao Willian join the Blues.
Independiente have secured a growing reputation for generating fantastic talent. They revamped their club model 15 years ago to focus on developing their academy by reaching out to underprivileged youths nationwide
In an interview with Caracol Colombia, Independiente sporting director Andrés Larriva explained the extent of their operation, with more than 150 players living on club grounds. Their hope is to establish a process that mirrors what the likes of Barcelona were able to achieve with La Masia.
Larriva said: “Scouting is fundamental in the club, the main process for attracting talent. The boys come from four to five places where we already have mapped out the talent of this country.
“What the club sought was to emulate the training process with reference to Barcelona but also to other Spanish teams.”