Arsenal set to sign for midfielder for 'record fee' as Mikel Arteta transfer plan clear

Arsenal are expected to sign another highly-rated youngster. (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to sign another player for their ongoing recruitment drive as key figures continue to get to work behind-the-scenes - but this time with more than one eye on the future. According to reports, the Gunners have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna from Shamrock Rovers.

The 16-year-old operates as a midfielder and is already playing in the League of Ireland's Premier Division. Reports from The Athletic indicate that his proposed transfer fee will be an Irish record.

Due to his age, Ozhianvuna - who has made 14 appearances this season totting-up 305 minutes with one goal - is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement. If it goes through, he will join Arsenal in January 2027.

Ozhianvuna, who is said to have already passed his medical, should formally put pen-to-paper this week. Though confirmation on his fee has yet to be confirmed, the deal is expected to surpass the £1.6million Tottenham forked out for Mason Melia from St. Patrick's Athletic earlier this year.

Arsenal are thought to have bested several top clubs for Ozhianvuna's signature. As per The Athletic, the swoop comes as part of a three-year drive to ramp up their scouting in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Gunners boast a rich history of Irish players.

Incidentally, the Shamrock manager - Stephen Bradley - spent time with Arsenal's youth system during his own playing days. He went on to forge a senior career in his homeland with Drogheda United, Shamrock, St. Patrick's and Limerick, before stepping into the Shamrock dugout coming up a decade ago now.

When he signs, Ozhianvuna will not be the only highly-rated midfield talent in Arsena's squad. Of course, the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman have been exposed to the Premier League limelight, with the latter making a top-flight debut for the Gunners during their 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday evening.

Aged 15, he won a penalty which Viktor Gyokeres converted . The soon-to-be completed move for Ozhianvuna is said to have been spearheaded by Arsenal's technical director James Ellis and academy manager Per Mertesacker, seemingly with initial plans to step into the age-group teams.