Arsenal transfer news: Double signing confirmed as teenager impresses scouts
Mirror Football brings you the latest transfer round-up from Emirates Stadium
Arsenal could sign teenage sensation Rafael Belinho
Several updates have emerged from Arsenal despite the quiet January transfer window so far. The Gunners were not expected to be particularly active this month, given their club’s record spending on top talent last summer.
However, they announced this month the departure of young prodigy Ethan Nwaneri, on loan to Marseille until the end of the season, as the youngster looks to gain more valuable playing time.
Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to secure victory in their last three Premier League matches, which has understandably caused anxiety among fans. Yet the Gunners are still in an excellent position, top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, meaning they are now unlikely to burst into the January window as a knee-jerk reaction.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
Yet sporting director Andrea Berta is undoubtedly working behind the scenes with Arteta to improve the team in the short and long term. NOW, Mirror football brings you two of the latest stories involving North London.
Gunners hunt down Brazilian teenager
Arsenal are among several big European clubs tracking 17-year-old Brazilian Rafael Belinho. The teenage prodigy, who like former Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva also holds a Croatian passport, recently left Dinamo Zagreb for NK Kustosija.
LEARN MORE: Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice ‘body language’ sparks concerns as Arsenal title fears growLEARN MORE: Arsenal pair reek of ‘fear and despair’ as fan favorites torn apart
Indeed, he was not ready to sign a long-term professional contract with Dinamo, which would have kept him at the club for at least three years. The plan is for Belinho to develop freely and join a big European club once he turns 18.
He is considered one of the best talents born in 2009 in world football, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those who have already sent scouts to monitor him. The Athletic reports that the Gunners are monitoring his progress and could make a move once he turns 18 as part of their recent wider plans to sign top young talents from around the world.
Academy young people sign agreements
Arsenal announced on Tuesday that two academy starlets have signed their first professional contracts with the club. Versatile midfielder Ife Ibrahim, who joined the Gunners aged seven, signed his first senior contract surrounded by family and friends.
The 18-year-old, who is entering the last six months of his scholarship contract, said: “I think it’s a blessing, you know, a great opportunity. Not many people can sign a professional contract, so I’m very grateful and lucky to be here.
“I came here when I was seven. I came through the pre-academic stage and then I signed when I was nine. I’ve been here ever since. I always say it’s a privilege. Arsenal are a really big club, so I’m very lucky to be here and continue my journey and achieve this.
Josiah King also put pen to paper on his 17th birthday, the earliest age at which a player can commit his future to the club. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time,” King said. “So it’s always good to achieve something that you’ve always wanted to achieve. So I’m happy about it. It’s a good day to celebrate my birthday. It’s in the top birthdays, for sure.”
Watch Arsenal vs FC Kairat on TNT Sports
£30.99
TNT Sports
Get TNT Sports here
Arsenal continue their UEFA Champions League campaign as they host FC Kaïrat January 28. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.