Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur 'battling for AC Milan's Francesco Camarda'

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly vying for the services of AC Milan teenager Francesco Camarda.

The 16-year-old striker made history earlier this season by becoming the youngest player to ever appear in a Serie A game, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on November 25.

Camarda was just 15 years and 260 days old when he made his debut in Italy's top flight, which Milan had to request special permission for from the Italian Football Federation due to their injury crisis.

The 2008-born attacker was 14 days younger than the previous record holder - Bologna defender Wisdom Amey - and he came on as a late substitute in the Rossoneri's next fixture, a 3-1 success over Frosinone on December 2.

Camarda has not been part of another first-team squad since, but he has netted four goals in six Primavera 1 matches for Milan's Under-19s since the start of February, and he also contributed two goals and one assist to a 4-0 UEFA Youth League beating of Newcastle United in September.

© Reuters

At international level, the 6ft striker has struck four goals and provided one assist in nine games for Italy's Under-17s, and Milan boss Stefano Pioli backed him to become the Rossoneri's leading number nine in the future.

When asked by reporters whether Camarda reminded him of any former great strikers, Pioli replied: "Who is he like? I don't like comparisons so much because each player has his own characteristics, and now it's too early for him.

"He's following the right path, with the right attitudes, let's make him grow. We've made him do something extra, exceptional, but because there was a particular situation. It's right that he follows his path. I'm sure he has the qualities to be Milan's centre forward one day."

However, Milan are now facing a battle to retain Camarda's services following his unexpected breakthrough, as according to Corriere dello Sport - via The Sun - Arsenal and Tottenham are monitoring his progress closely.

Camarda is now eligible to sign a senior contract with Milan, having celebrated his 16th birthday on Sunday, but talks to tie him down to professional terms on a three-year basis have allegedly stalled.

© Reuters

As a result, the Rossoneri are at serious risk of losing the Italian for nothing when the season comes to a close, but Arsenal and Spurs are facing stiff competition from Manchester City and Inter Milan.

All three Premier League sides are said to have made contact to gauge Camarda's interest in a move to England, but the teenager is yet to make a final decision on his long-term future.

Camarda was 79 days older than Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri when the Englishman made his Premier League debut in September 2022, since when he has also come on as a substitute in a 6-0 thrashing of West Ham United this season.

Amid growing interest from rival clubs, Arsenal tied Nwaneri down to scholarship terms last summer, and the 16-year-old will officially turn professional on his 17th birthday later this month.