As reported in early February, Nathan Tella is set to to leave Arsenal and it looks as if he could be heading for Southampton.

The 17-year-old winger was told he will not receive a professional contract with Arsenal and had been granted permission to speak with other interested clubs. With that being said though, he has still been training with the Academy players at London Colney.

Reports in both the Daily Star and Express now suggest a move to Southampton is close to completion for Tella.

He featured in Arsenal’s matchday programme ahead of the 5-1 home defeat against Bayern Munich and said, “I’m working hard in games and training and have been on trial with Southampton, Reading and Norwich, and all the teams have said that they want me back to have another look with a view to offering me a professional contract.

I will be at Southampton this week and hopefully they like what they see and I can continue to build my career,” he continued.

Southampton an ideal destination

Currently, Southampton’s u23s are just above the relegation places in the Premier League 2 table with three matches remaining. Matt Targett and Josh Sims are just two of their most recent players to make a senior breakthrough. Naturally, Tella would feel inclined to join them and prove his ability if given the opportunity.