Arsenal look set for a transfer battle in the future as they scout Europe to help prepare their squad for the future after tying down Max Dowman at the Emirates
Max Dowman of Arsenal
Max Dowman has agreed scholarship terms with Arsenal(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Arsenal are monitoring the prospects of a 15-year-old starlet, having already tied down one of their own in recent days. The Gunners have agreed scholarship terms with Max Dowman after the midfielder's breakout summer, but are now casting their net far and wide for more talent.
The north London side are eyeing Montpellier ace Lacine Megnan-Pave, 15, who is quickly rising through the ranks in France. Last season, the youngster netted 12 goals and made 12 assists in 24 games for Montpellier's under-17 side and he has represented France as an under-16.
The forward has yet to sign professional terms in France and there are said to be concerns over his club's financial position following relegation to Ligue 2. It leaves the French side vulnerable to losing a prodigious star.
Arsenal are set to face competition from Barcelona, according to L’Equipe. Montpellier could yet offer Megnan-Pave a contract when he turns 16 to further complicate matters.
Rules and regulations prevent Mikel Arteta's side from being able to sign the teenager immediately. As they are not part of the EU, Premier League teams can only players from the continent at 18.
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They could agree on terms over a future transfer at some point, however. Chelsea have done so on a number of occasions to secure deals for the likes of Estevao Willian, Kendy Paez and Geovany Quenda, before they turned 18.
Arsenal will hope they have moved ahead of the game by agreeing scholarship terms for Dowman. The agreement also encompasses a professional contract to be finalised when he reaches 17.
Arteta is said to have played a crucial role in persuading the Chelmsford-born midfielder to commit his future to the club. Dowman became the second-youngest Premier League player, behind Arsenal team-mate Ethan Nwaneri, when he came on against Leeds at 15 years and 235 days old.
A claim has been made about Mikel Arteta's Arsenal future
Arsenal are admirers of Montpellier's 15-year-old talent Lacine Megnan-Pave
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The youngster's display impressed Arteta. "We have to gather all the information. It's how he reacts and deals with the situation, what his team-mates think about him - which is clear, because they kept on passing him the ball," he said.
"It is great to be able to change the energy in the stadium by bringing him in and he had an impact. He won a penalty on his debut at the Emirates. That's incredible.
"It's credit, first of all, to his family, the way these kids have been raised and the environment created. They are not overwhelmed by the environment and context.
"And the work of the academy, for helping to raise these kids in that manner with the confidence and understanding of the game at just 15 years old."
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