Labelled as one of the brightest young stars in all of South America, Maxi Romero, is starting to garner attention from big clubs around the the world.  Romero, aged 16, is reportedly being monitored by Barclays Premier League club Arsenal, a club known for buying and producing young talent under manager Arsene Wenger.

The player’s agent, Rolando Zarate, has claimed that he has previously met with the north London team’s manager on multiple occasions.  Zarate told TyC Sports, “I met with Arsene Wenger twice in London.  They heard about Maxi through their scouts in South America.  He is the player who has most impressed him.”

Zarate also stated that under a proposed deal with the Gunners, Romero would stay with his Argentine club for the next two years before moving on to London.  “Arsenal agreed to our main terms: that the player remains at Velez (Sarsfield) for two more years”, said Zarate.  “Maxi is going to complete his apprenticeship at a great club like Velez.”

Velez’s team president, Raul Gamez, has also declared that the Gunners have already made a significant offer for Romero.  Gamez proclaimed, “They (Arsenal) have made an offer for Maxi Romero.  I don’t want to talk figures just yet, but it’s a big offer.”

There is, however, a significant snag to any deal between Arsenal and Velez.  It is thought that both the Argentine club and the player’s agent have an ownership stake in Romero.  This is an issue because Premier League rules now prohibit any third-party ownership involved with players.

Due to Romero’s talent and native country, the 16-year-old has been called the “next Leo Messi”. Grainy YouTube video of the player in action has surfaced as of late.  Romero looks like a man amongst boys on the pitch, scoring goals with ease in the lower level matches.  Nevertheless, the youngster has made just two substitute appearances in eight league matches (no goals) for the senior Velez club so far this season.

If Arsenal (or any other Premier League club) want Romero, they would have to agree to purchase Romero from both Zarate and Velez Sarsfield to obtain 100% ownership of the player.  The Buenos Aires club have reportedly smacked a £4.5 million transfer fee on their teenage prodigy, a number in which the Gunners are supposedly hesitant to meet.