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Arsenal plotting Cristian Pavon transfer this summer as they plan rebuild without Alexis Sanchez

Exclusive: The 21-year-old wide forward is expected to be one of Arsenal's top targets after Boca Juniors' Copa Libertadores campaign

Arsenal are keen on Boca Juniors' Cristian Pavon and are expected to make a move for the 21-year-old winger this summer.

Juventus and Manchester City have also been following the versatile wide forward, but Arsenal are understood to be closest to pulling the trigger and have commissioned extensive background checks on the player already.

Pavon's explosive style earmarks him as the perfect replacement for Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean set to depart the club either this month or in the summer. He is an Argentina international, having made his debut in the friendly against Russia last year.

Boca would be willing to part with the academy product for offers that begin at £20m up front, with clauses included to account for future success. They aren't, however, willing to countenance a sale in January as they wish to make an all-out assault on the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the Champions League.

Carlos Tevez is expected to re-join the club after an unhappy spell in China, while they are also bringing in Argentina internationals Julio Buffarini and Emanuel Mas.

Should Pavon be able to help Boca to Libertadores glory they would be happy to cash in on the talented wideman, but there remains the possibility that performing in some of South America's highest-pressure knockout games could attract competition for his signature.

aniym wrote:I thought it was hard for South American/African players to get work visas in England in their first year. Joel Campbell had to wait for at least a year.

The workaround is if the player is purchased from a European team at which point they already have an EU work visa, but they're usually more expensive at that point.

Boca Juniors will not accept an offer below the £27m release clause of Cristian Pavon, while the player himself would need assurances on his game time before joining in order to maximise his chances of making the Argentina World Cup Squad this summer. [@eaamalyon] #afc

Boca Juniors chairman Daniel Angelici on reports of Cristian Pavon to #afc: “We haven’t received any offer for him. There are only rumours. I think he will stay until December. I’m aware of what I spoke about with Cristian when we signed the [contract] renewal.” [@ChrisWheatley_]

Angelici (Boca chairman) on Pavon: “I will not obstruct his career, but we signed a good contract for his happiness & we included a high release clause for this reason. For a player who loves the club, it’s a very important opportunity to play in the Copa Libertadores.” #afc

Mesüt wrote:sign him and malcolm and really go for it - together they wouldn't cost much more than 60m.

Massa wrote:

Mesüt wrote:sign him and malcolm and really go for it - together they wouldn't cost much more than 60m.

This. two wide forwards needed