Arsenal Trump Chelsea & Liverpool After Reaching Agreement With Nigerian Starlet

The January transfer window is now closed but we can still look at deals that failed to get across the line and those being lined-up for the summer. Today, Arsenal have won the race to sign Lateef Omidiji Jr….

Arsenal have beaten off competition from Chelsea and Liverpool after reaching a pre-contract agreement with Nigerian starlet Lateef Omidiji Jr, according to the Express.

The 13-year-old has emerged as one of the hottest young properties in Europe after impressing during his time with the Sparta Rotterdam academy.

Omidiji Jr’s potential has caught the attention of several top clubs with the newspaper reporting that the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been tracking the teenager’s progress.

However, it looks as though Arsenal have now pulled of a mini-coup as the Express claims that the Gunners have now reached a pre-contract agreement with the talented youngster.

The report indicates that Arsenal have agreed a deal that will see Omidiji Jr train with the club twice a year until he is old enough to sign a professional contract at the Emirates.

An apparent source confirmed the news to the newspaper after revealing that while Chelsea and Liverpool both registered their interest, Arsenal’s offer was too good to refuse.

“Chelsea came as well, so did Liverpool, to try and build a relationship early but Arsenal came with an offer that could not be turned down,” the source is quoted as saying by the Express.

“Arsenal saw his potential and said they will invest in his growth. He is focused on his craft.

“Lateef will train in London a couple of times a year, and their coaches will come from there to the Netherlands to monitor him frequently and give him tips.”

Arsene Wenger is renowned for developing young talent and Gunners fans will be hoping the Frenchman has unearthed another gem in Omidiji Jr.

The teenager has already represented Nigerian at U15 level and he’s knows for his speed and technique while he’s also understood to have a good grasp of the tactical side of the game for one so young.

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Obviously Omidiji Jr is still a long way away from breaking in to the Arsenal first team set up and has a lot of work to do over the coming years but who knows, maybe he’ll surpass compatriot Alex Iwobi to become the next Nigerian to break through in north London.