Young Portuguese talent Joao Virginia is set to come over to London ahead of a deal which will see him sign his first professional contract with Arsenal.

The goalkeeper is only 15 years old and cannot sign a professional deal in England until he turns 16, which isn’t until October.

According to Portuguese publication A Bola the teenager will come over to London to train with Arsenal until then. When a deal is signed you would have to assume he will stay with the u18s for a couple of seasons at the very least.

Manchester United were extremely keen on the young goalkeeper, who had a trial with them last summer. He has visited their training ground but, despite the trip to Carrington, it looks like Arsenal have snatched him.

Virginia has won one cap with the Portugal u16 team and, with Arsenal and Manchester United both looking at him must be highly-rated. Benfica are said to be frustrated that they will lose the youngster.

The last goalkeeper successfully developed by Arsenal was Wojciech Szczesny, now 25 and out on loan at AS Roma. The Portuguese is moving to London at a similar age as the Pole and, if he is as talented, will be given plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.