Arsenal are reportedly close to completing a deal for Manchester City talent-spotter Sam Fagbemi.
The Gunners have been in disarray both on and off the pitch this season and Freddie Ljungberg has failed to turn results around as the club’s interim head coach following Unai Emery’s dismissal.
However, it’s understood Mikel Arteta will be announced as Arsenal’s new manager imminently – and the Spaniard will not be the only new recruit making his way down from the Etihad.
The Daily Mail claims that Fagbemi, 25, who currently heads up City’s scouting strategy in the south, has received an offer to play a leading role in Arsenal’s youth recruitment approach.
Arsenal’s hierarchy have been impressed with the feedback they have received on Fagbemi and discussions between the two parties are at an ‘advanced’ stage.
Though the Premier League champions are desperate to keep hold of Fagbemi, it’s likely an agreement will be wrapped up with Arsenal over the coming days.
Fagbemi helped City steal Sam Edozie, Darko Gyabi, Josh Wilson-Eshbrand and Ben Knight from under Arsenal’s nose during the summer.
The north London giants are also looking at Wolves’ recruitment specialist Phil Antwi as another potential addition to work alongside academy manager Per Mertesacker.
City manager Pep Guardiola says Arteta has been ‘transparent and honest’ with him amid speculation of an impending move to Arsenal.
‘I’ve said many times, he’s an incredible person, a good manager, work ethic, that’s why he’s with us,’ Guardiola said on Tuesday.
‘He’s talking with Arsenal so I don’t know what’s going to happen.
‘He was incredibly transparent and honest with me.’
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