Arsenal and Liverpool tracking Marseille sensation Maxime Lopez – dubbed the ‘new Samir Nasri’
Premier League giants sent scouts to watch the midfielder make his first start for the French side on Sunday
ARSENAL and Liverpool are tracking Marseille sensation Maxime Lopez – dubbed the "new Samir Nasri".
The Premier League giants sent scouts to watch the highly-rated midfielder make his first start for the French side on Sunday.
Lopez, 18, is regarded as the brightest prospect to come out of Marseille’s academy since Nasri in 2004.
He is equally at home playing off a frontman or as a midfielder playmaker, much like the former Gunners and Manchester City man.
And he lived up to expectations as the standout performer in the drab 0-0 draw with rivals Bordeaux, racking up over 110 in the middle of the park.
Marseille team-mate Florian Thauvin was excited by Lopez’s performance.
The former Newcastle midfielder said: “He played a great match. It’s not a surprise for me. We know his qualities.
“He’s a very good player and has a very bright future. He was able to show everyone the extent of his talents.”
Arsene Wenger was keen to bring Lopez to the Emirates in 2014 but the starlet chose to sign a professional deal with his hometown club.
But Marseille may now struggle to hold on to their man amid renewed interest from England.
Nasri made 121 Ligue 1 appearances in the south of France before moving to Arsenal for £12million in 2008.