Arsenal are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of Sunderland 15-year-old Logan Pye, according to reports.

An exclusive from Alan Nixon in The S*n claims Arsenal look ‘poised to pounce’ for Pye in the next transfer window. United had looked favourites for a while, but the Gunners have now stepped in and appear to be winning the race at this stage.

Pye received his first call-up to the England u16s last August, when he was just 14 years old. The left-back can also play centrally, and he’s been with Sunderland since he was seven years old.

When Pye turns 16 next month, he’ll be old enough to follow in Sam Greenwood’s footsteps by trading the Sunderland academy for Arsenal’s. Greenwood’s recent move has been a very positive one, as he signed his first professional contract with the club this week.

Arsenal have been a little short in the full-back positions with the academy recently. A number of injuries and departures have left centre-backs having to fill in on a number of occasions.

It would certainly be a smart move to strengthen the academy’s depth at full-back.