BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Vontae Daley-Campbell of England during the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Between Norway and England at Pirelli Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Arsenal 18-year-old rejects professional contract, joins Leicester

Jul 2, 2019

Arsenal’s 18-year-old right back Vontae Daley-Campbell has left the club and joined Leicester.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Vontae Daley-Campbell of Arsenal is challenged by Chay Cooper of Tottenham Hotspur during the Fourth Round FA Youth Cup match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Meadow Park on January 17, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images) — BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Vontae Daley-Campbell of Arsenal is challenged by Chay Cooper of Tottenham Hotspur during the Fourth Round FA Youth Cup match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Meadow Park on January 17, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

A few days ago, the Leicester Mercury reported that Leicester City were set to make Daley-Campbell their second academy signing of the summer after he failed to agree terms on a professional contract with Arsenal.

The young right-back was on a scholarship deal with the Gunners last season, and he had a professional contract offer on the table, but he decided to run it down and leave instead.

The 18-year-old confirmed his departure in June.

As reported elsewhere – Vontae Daley-Campbell has joined Leicester from Arsenal. Had been tracked by a number of European clubs, including Schalke and RB Leipzig.

Will join up with Foxes' youth setup first but scouts last season viewed him as someone with very high potential.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) July 1, 2019

It looks a bit of a strange move right now. There’s little chance Daley-Campbell will break into the first team at Leicester immediately, with Ricardo Pereira ahead of him and new signing James Justin also playing the position.

If Daley-Campbell wanted u23 football, he could’ve had it at Arsenal given Jordi Osei-Tutu’s loan departure. Perhaps he just wanted a change of scenery, or he thinks he’ll have a better chance of playing for Leicester’s first team in the long term.

Daley-Campbell also reportedly turned down RB Leipzig for the Foxes.

Hopefully, the move works out for the youngster, and you’d think if he’s turned down interest from high-profile clubs like Leipzig he must know there’s a plan in place for him.