Currently in contract talks with Chelsea, Dominic Solanke’s negotiations seem to have hit a brick wall and Arsenal could make their move.

That’s according to a number of outlets, who are reporting that the Gunners are monitoring the situation between the England u21 striker and the west London club.

Chelsea’s youth teams have been superb over the last few years but the opportunities young players are given at Stamford Bridge are next to non-existent.

Solanke must recognise this and, after netting seven Eredivisie goals so far this season, must be desperate to secure a good contract which will go some way to guaranteeing him playing time.

The 18-year-old is reportedly demanding a huge £50,000-a-week to secure his Chelsea future.

According to the report in the Sun, Solanke would settle for less in north London if given first team assurances.

Arsenal are certainly more renowned for their youth policy than Chelsea, who fail to really integrate young players no matter how talented they are.

On the contrary, Alex Iwobi has come into the Arsenal side of late and performed well, joining youth products like Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and Héctor Bellerín in the squad. Solanke, were he to sign, would become just another teenager given chances under Arsène Wenger.

At this stage you’d guess that Arsenal are being used as a pawn by Solanke’s agent as contract talks go on but, if he really doesn’t sign on with Chelsea this summer, Arsenal could do much worse than swooping for the talented 18-year-old.