Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Wolves academy defender and Wales youth international Brayden Clarke.
The 16-year-old centre-back is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects coming through the Wolves academy, with the Molineux side producing quite the amount of talent in recent years.
And Clarke is just the latest prospect to emerge from Wolves with the potential to make it big in the Premier League, with the defender already capped by Wales at U-17 level.
Arsenal to win race for ‘massive’ Wolves youngster Brayden Clarke
Now, according to the Secret Scout, Arsenal are close to winning the race to sign Clarke, with the Gunners beating as many as four Premier League clubs to the wonderkid’s signature.
Lauded by Wolves’ elite player development manager Darren Ryan as a youngster with ‘massive’ potential, Arsenal landing Clarke would be viewed by many as quite the coup for supporters.
The Gunners are flying at youth level this season and currently have a crop of youngsters who could one day make it into Mikel Arteta’s senior squad, namely Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
And Clarke could now join this exclusive list if the teenager impresses at Arsenal, with the defender already having all the skills needed to become a top centre-back in the Premier League.
Arsenal have to bring more academy players though
Whilst the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have become regulars for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s use of academy players has somewhat dried up in the last three seasons.
With the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United turning to youth products and getting fantastic results in the process, Arteta and Arsenal have been more stringent on who is given crucial first-team minutes.
And for next season, many fans will want to see the Gunners take a more lax approach on playing academy prospects, with the talent clearly there for Arteta to use if needed.
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