Arsenal snubbed by Portuguese starlet

Speculation around Arsenal has been rampant over the big dollar signing of 20 year old Joao Moutinho of Sporting Lisbon for a staggering 15m pounds. The deal has been squashed as the youngster has signed a new 6 year contract with the Lisbon giants.

Moutinho, a product of the famed Sporting youth academy that produced the likes of Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, may have made the decision with his eye on past flops like Hugo Viana at Newcastle, maybe he worried he’d never play, or maybe his management worries about the trouble in Arsenal’s back room. One thing is for sure, Arsenal are not going to continue to try and sign him now.

The young attacking midfielder, recently a Portugal international, is one of Portugal's hot prospects along with Nani, now has a contract keeping him at the Jose Alvalade stadium until 2013.

Moutinho has had an impressive season as Sporting finished second to FC Porto for a place in the Champions League. His role has morphed to that of an attacking midfielder as early on in his career he played as a defensive midfielder. He’s adept in both roles which is likely why Arsenal took such a keen interest. At age 18 he burst into the Sporting first team while still on a 1500 euro per month youth contract. That deal was quickly adjusted to his newfound status, and now has received an even bigger pay increase 2 years on to match his importance to the club.

If a deal should come it won’t be for a few years, but tuck this little spirfire away, he may end up a Gunner someday.