ARSENAL are planning for the future as they bring in teenager Lino Da Cruz Sousa from West Brom.
The 16-year-old was part of the Baggies' youth set-up, playing two years above his age group in their U18s.
And the left-back – who is part-Brazilian – has already represented England at youth level.
West Brom coach Peter Gilbert previously said of the teen: "Lino’s an athletic full-back, reads the game well, has a lovely left foot.
“It's not often a 16-year-old plays an entire season with the 18s, but that’s credit to him because he has so much potential.
Football.London reports Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker had called for reinforcements down the left.
Full-back Sousa fits the bill and can play further forward in midfield.
His close control and dribbling ability had caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs.
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But the Gunners have won the race for his signature in their first bit of business this month.
Boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping to bring in further new faces in the current window, with a leading striker his top priority.
Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates.
But Arteta faces a transfer battle with arch-rivals Tottenham and league leaders Manchester City to land the 21-year-old’s signature.
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