Arsenal set to sign Joel Lopez after starlet rejects deal to stay at Barcelona
Left-back, 16, set to follow in footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin by leaving Barca's La Masia academy for Unai Emery's Gunners.
BARCELONA starlet Joel Lopez has reportedly snubbed a propsal from the Spanish champions to join Arsenal.
The left-back, 16, looks set to follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin by leaving Barca's La Masia academy in favour of moving to the Gunners.
Catalan paper report that Barca failed in their bid to keep Lopez despite a high-ranking official's attempts to change his mind.
They claim that Arsenal have turned his head by offering him a the chance to progress quickly.
Arsenal have been monitoring the player for months.
And the Gunners' head of football operations Raul Sanllehi, formerly of Barca, appears to have played his part in the recruitment of Lopez.
Lopez does not yet have a professional contract with Barca, so Arsenal will only have to pay a compensation fee.
Arsenal suffered a blow in January when highly-rated midfielder Marcus McGuane, 19, quit to join Barca's 'B' team in Spain's second tier.
Lopez's progression at The Emirates will be monitored by Marcel Lucassen, who has been confirmed as as Arsenal's head of coach and player development.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
WHERE THERE'S A WIL Jack Wilshere and Unai Emery to hold Arsenal showdown talks over midfielder’s future
The Dutchman arrives after three years with Dubai-based side Al Nasr.
Lucassen previously worked in a similar role with the German FA and was also assistant boss at Hoffenheim.
The club also look close to sealing a £35million deal for Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu after his agent confirmed "concrete" talks have taken place.