Arsenal appear on the brink of signing French youngster Ismael Bennacer, having beaten Manchester City to the player’s signature.
According to the Express, the Gunners have won the race to sign the 17-year-old, who had previously looked set to move to the Etihad Stadium, with the Metro reporting that the reigning FA Cup champions will need to pay £150,000 compensation for the midfielder.
The teenager made a handful of appearances in Ligue 2 for Arles-Avignon last season, and impressed in what was a miserable campaign for the Southern club. He featured six times in the league, and once in the Coupe de France, scoring in the domestic cup competition.
While his club side were relegated to the French third tier, Bennacer looks set for a move to a whole new stage, and according to L’Equipe [via the Express], has been offered a five-year deal by his compatriot Arsene Wenger.
The youngster—who is a creative offensive midfielder with an excellent first touch—has represented France at U18 level and the Gunners will surely be delighted at the prospect of picking up one of the brightest talents in the French game.
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The Metro note that the player will not be immediately considered for the first-team squad, and instead, will join the North Londoners’ U-21 side.