Arsenal are reportedly ready to fight off competition and secure the £10m signing of Nottingham Forest forward Ben Brereton this summer.
The 17-year-old has been making noise in the Championship this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 13 relatively limited appearances.
As reported by The Sun, he has attracted interest from both Liverpool and Southampton already, but now the Gunners have decided to get involved in the race to sign him with Forest expecting bids of £10m and above.
However, as with everything at Arsenal it seems currently, much will depend on whether or not Arsene Wenger decides to stay or go with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Given the hints in press conferences and the general mood shift, it would seem as though the veteran French tactician is ready to sign for another two years. While he still has his supporters, that would be a very unpopular decision with a growing number of supporters who want him out.
Nevertheless, if transfer targets are already being discussed and if there is truth behind rumours like this one, then surely that would suggest that Wenger is planning for the summer along with the club in order to ensure that they compete next season.
Brereton is still raw and has plenty of room for improvement, but ultimately Jurgen Klopp is said to be a huge admirer of his, as per the report, as the German tactician sees him as the perfect modern-day forward.
Coupled with Arsenal’s keenness to sign him, it can’t be a coincidence and so it looks as though there could be an intriguing transfer saga developing ahead of the summer transfer window.