Mirror Football brings you the latest transfer round-up from the Emirates Stadium
Brazilian teenager Rafael Belinho of Dinamo Zagreb holds trophy
Arsenal could sign teenage sensation Rafael Belinho
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Several updates have emerged from Arsenal despite the side's quiet January transfer window so far. The Gunners were not expected to be particularly active this month to begin with, given their club record-breaking expenditure on top talent last summer.
They did, however, this month announce the departure of teenage wonderkid 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 a win in their last three Premier League fixtures, which has understandably led to anxiety among the fanbase. Yet, the Gunners are still in a great position, leading both the Premier League and Champions League tables, meaning they are unlikely to now splash out in the January window as a knee-jerk reaction.
Gunners tracking Brazilian teenager
Arsenal are among several top European clubs tracking 17-year-old Brazilian Rafael Belinho. The teenage wonderkid, who like former Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva also holds a Croatian passport, recently completed a move from Dinamo Zagreb to NK Kustosija.
That was because he wasn’t prepared to pen a long-term professional deal with Dinamo, which would have kept him at the club for at least three years. The plan is for Belinho to develop freely and move on to a big European club once he’s turned 18.
He is considered to be one of the best 2009-born talents across world football, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those to have already sent scouts to watch him. The Athletic reports the Gunners are following his progress and could make a move once he turns 18 as part of their wider recent plans to bring in the best young talent from around the world.
Academy youngsters sign deals
Josiah King signing his Arsenal professional contract
Josiah King has signed his Arsenal professional contract(Image: @Arsenal)
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Arsenal on Tuesday announced two academy starlets had 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 final six months of his scholarship contract, said: “I think it's a blessing, you know, a great opportunity. Not many people get to sign a professional contract, so I'm very grateful and blessed to be here.
“I came here when I was at the age of seven. I went through the pre-academy stage and then got signed at the age of nine. I've been here ever since. I always say it's a privilege. Arsenal's a very big club, so I'm very blessed to be here and continue my journey and make it.
Josiah King also put pen to paper on his 17th birthday, the earliest age a player can commit his future to the club. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming about 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 that. It’s a good day to celebrate my birthday. It’s in the top-one birthdays, for sure."
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