Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on 19-year-old Boca Juniors winger Leonel Flores, who has burst onto the senior scene and made his debut for Argentina. Both London clubs see the young player as a promising addition, and a move could materialise as early as January.
Flores has been a part of Boca Juniors' setup since 2014. He made his first-team debut in July after showcasing impressive form in youth football.
During his time with the reserve side this year, he netted nine goals and provided four assists. Overall, he has 19 goals and five assists at this level.
Since joining the first team, Flores has quickly become a regular feature on the pitch.
In 29 matches, he has played for 1690 minutes, scoring five goals and assisting three more.
His versatility has piqued the interest of both London clubs.
While Flores primarily plays as a right winger, Boca Juniors' head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena utilises him across various positions on the pitch.
The young talent is capable of playing on either flank and can also step in as a full-back if needed.
This adaptability, combined with his goal-scoring ability, has drawn the attention of both Arsenal and Chelsea.
In September, Flores made his senior Argentina debut and has since featured in three matches for his national team.
Despite the growing interest, neither Mikel Arteta's team nor Xabi Alonso's Chelsea have yet submitted formal offers.
Both clubs continue to monitor the development of the Argentine star.
Boca Juniors may consider sale in January
In May 2025, Flores signed a contract with Boca Juniors that runs until December 2029.
However, a lengthy contract does not guarantee the player will remain in Argentina.
The club's hierarchy, led by Juan Roman Riquelme, understands that their most promising talents are attracting interest from European teams.
This summer, Brighton also showed interest in Flores, but the English club did not take concrete steps towards a potential signing.
Now, Arsenal and Chelsea are closely following the situation.
If one of the London clubs decides to make an offer, Boca Juniors will be open to considering the terms of a possible transfer.
That being said, a sale will not happen at any cost; the Argentine club still needs to determine acceptable financial conditions.
Thus, the January transfer window could provide the first genuine opportunity for Flores to make a move to the Premier League.
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal or Chelsea will transition from observation to official negotiations.
