Arsenal are consistently working on strengthening their squad. The defending champions aim to win two Premier League titles in a row. They’re competing with Manchester City for the top spot in the 2026-27 Premier League and are in 2nd place on the table. Arsenal are ready to go to any lengths to achieve this target.
That is the reason why the Gunners have joined the pursuit of American teenager Mathis Albert. Albert is a 17-year-old winger who can also play as an attacking midfielder.
He currently plays for Borussia Dortmund. Albert joined the club in 2024 as a youth player and quickly rose through the ranks to become a core member of the main squad. His versatility has attracted interest from multiple clubs, including the Gunners.
According to Transfer Feed, the Gunners have shown their interest in the teenage winger. Interestingly, they are not the only club that is interested in securing Albert for the latter half of the 2026-27 season.
Liverpool and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation, according to the latest reports. They are ready to pay a transfer fee of at least €20 million. If the Gunners want Albert at the Emirates next year, they’ll need to make a more lucrative offer.
What makes Albert so special that the Gunners are showing interest in him? Albert scored 15 goals in 41 games for Dortmund’s U19 side, which made the world take notice of his skills.
In April 2026, the American winger made his senior debut in the last few minutes of a Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg as a substitute. This made Albert the youngest American player to ever play in the Bundesliga, a record that was previously held by Giovanni Reyna [who plays for Strasbourg right now].
That is why, for manager Mikel Arteta, Albert seems to be a long-term solution to Arsenal’s lack of depth on the flanks. Apart from that, the American teenager is a naturally gifted winger who can operate on both the left and the right flanks, offering immense depth.
The attacking lineup is currently dependent on Bukayo Saka, who plays as a right winger for the club. If the Gunners can convince Albert to join, he could offer much-needed relief on this front.
However, is Borussia Dortmund equally interested in letting Albert go? Recent reports suggest that the German club is looking for a long-term association with the winger.
They wouldn’t like Albert to leave the club right now, at least for the 2026-27 season. In fact, Ole Book, the sporting director for Borussia Dortmund, has summed up the club’s priority in the following statement to Sky Germany,
“We have a clear plan for him.”
According to OneFootball, the German club has signed a long-term contract with Albert, which will take effect once he turns 18 in May next year. They are well aware of the interest shown by Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in Albert. However, Dortmund is not too worried about the situation. They will do anything it takes to retain Albert, even if for just one season.
