Arsenal and Liverpool are in talks barely a week before the Premier League season starts, after rumours of Manchester United showing an interest earlier this summer
Andoni Iraola standing with his hands on his hips at Anfield
Andoni Iraola's Liverpool are in talks over compensation for Vincent Joseph(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool are understood to be in talks with Arsenal over compensation for Vincent Joseph after his schoolboy registration contract expired. The Gunners have reportedly reached an agreement with the 16-year-old striker after officially becoming available to move this summer on July 1.
Joseph was offered a scholarship by the Reds, but did not sign a new deal before the end of June and is thus able to join another club. Liverpool, however, are due a fee for training him.
A tribunal will decide if the clubs cannot do so. The Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) consider several factors when determining the amount owed.
The Athletic were first to report the agreement between Arsenal and Joseph. Manchester United also showed interest in him earlier this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Joseph graduated from the under-16s last season and scored on his under-18s debut during a 4-3 defeat to Sunderland at the Academy of Light in March. He then scored twice in their next U18 Premier League North match against Nottingham Forest.
The first was with his left foot to equalise, the Reds having been 2-0 down. Joseph's second was then an 83rd-minute winner from distance with his left to seal a 4-3 win.
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However, he will not be playing for Simon Wiles' side this season. Joseph. Adam Birchall is instead due to be Joseph's new head coach, having taken over Arsenal's under-18s from Jack Wilshere two years ago.
The former Liverpool under-21s head coach, Barry Lewtas, also worked with Joseph last season for England's under-16s. He has scored eight goals and assisted another in nine games at that level, including a hat-trick against the Netherlands at St George's Park in mid-December.
Joseph has played alongside Arsenal players Charlie Phillips and Emerson Nwaneri on international duty. He is also eligible to play for Germany.
The forward's older brother, Valentin, came through Blackburn Rovers' academy before joining Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this summer. Joseph Snr scored 21 times in 31 games across their under-18s and under-21s last season before making the move.
Two of his goals came against Liverpool at Kirkby, assisting the third before scoring the fourth and sixth in an 8-3 win for Rovers. He missed the reverse fixture after moving up to their under-21s, which finished in a 1-1 draw at Brockhall.
Both brothers are now set to play in the U18 Premier League South this coming season. Joseph Jr leaves Liverpool after eight years, having joined in 2018.