Premier League Trio Chase German Defensive Starlet

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Versatile Hamburger SV defender Josha Vagoman is the target of a three-way Premier League transfer tussle claims ESPN FC.

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Everton all kept a close eye on the German youngster as he broke into the senior team this season, making his debut against Bayern Munich. Aged 17 years and three months, he became the second youngest player in Bundesliga history.

Highly-regarded, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also monitoring the Germany Under-17 international who starred in his country’s recent run to the ‘Little World Cup’ quarter-finals where they were beaten by Brazil.

Vagnoman is equally comfortable at right or left-back, positions which Arsenal and Everton desperately need cover. The Gunners face losing Hector Bellerin, 22, to Juventus with the Bianconeri ready to pay up to £50m for the Spaniard. Ainsley Maitland-Niles covered for Bellerin last season but is ostensibly a defensive midfielder.

Sven Mislintat, Arsenal’s German head of recruitment, scouted Vagnoman frequently during his time at Dortmund, while the connection continues with Per Mertesacker becoming head of the club’s academy with responsibility in preparing players for promotion to the first team.

Everton meanwhile, know Leighton Baines is at the end of his career and are desperate to get a young, long-term signing on-board to be ready to take over during 2018-19. Marcel Brands, formerly with PSV Eindhoven, took over as director of football following Steve Walsh’s departure and is keen to bring younger players to Goodison Park as the club seeks to build for the long-term.