Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Teenagers who attend a rival’s home game in the final hours of the window send a clear signal. Rejected bids leave the door open for the next club in line. Family posts from the stands often confirm what the rumour mill has been suggesting.
Academy recruitment races can be won or lost in a single afternoon. Clubs that have already added several young players still miss out on others. First-team business continues in the background while the youth market is decided.
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Leicester City midfielder Louis Page look slim after the 18-year-old England youth international attended Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.
The Gunners submitted a bid that Leicester rejected. United are now considered favourites, with Aston Villa also among the clubs to have shown interest.
Page played for Leicester in a 0-0 draw at MK Dons on Saturday before heading to Old Trafford. His brother Ethan posted from the game with the caption “You’ve seen yaniteddddd” and later shared a signed shirt. Multiple supporters said they spotted Page at the stadium.
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Arsenal have been active in the academy market this summer, signing Igor Tyjon, Habeeb Ogunneye and moving for James Scanlon, as well as agreeing future deals for other prospects. Page would have been another addition to that group.
The midfielder is highly rated and the race appears to be heading United’s way before Tuesday’s deadline.
Arsenal’s first-team focus remains on outgoing deals. Fabio Vieira is set for Hamburg, Gabriel Jesus is closing on Barcelona and Gabriel Martinelli is heading to Al Hilal. The club remain open to the right incoming target if one becomes available.
Supporters will be disappointed to miss out on Page after lodging a bid. United look well placed to complete the signing if Leicester agree terms. Further confirmation is expected in the next 24 hours as the window enters its final full day.
Arsenal travel to Aston Villa on Monday night with their Premier League title defence already under way. Youth recruitment will continue in parallel with any last first-team decisions.
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez