Arsenal have reportedly struck an agreement to sign 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna in what is set to be a record fee for the League of Ireland’s Premier Division. The news comes a day after Eberechi Eze was presented as the Gunners' seventh signing of the summer for £67.5million, taking their spending past the £250m mark.
Eze was in attendance as Mikel Arteta's side put five goals past Leeds on Sunday and they are attempting to safeguard their future with the addition of promising midfielder Ozhianvuna. It already looks bright after 15-year-old Max Dowman made his Premier League debut off the bench and won a penalty.
The Athletic claim that Ozhianvuna will sign a pre-contract with Arsenal, ensuring that he will head to north London when he turns 18 in January 2027. The fee is expected to be larger than Tottenham's £1.6m deal for Mason Melia earlier this year and constitutes an Irish record.
Ozhianvuna, who is already playing first-team football as a winger for Rovers, has completed his medical and may complete a move next week.
As an EU citizen, the teenager cannot join Arsenal until he turns 18, but the move is a product of the Gunners' increased efforts to scout talent in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, led by technical director James Ellis and academy manager Per Mertesacker.
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