Arsenal’s pursuit of young talent has suffered a setback after Swansea City starlet Aimar Govea signed his first professional contract with the Swans.

The 17-year-old winger, highly regarded for his pace and skill, has snubbed interest from the Gunners, opting to stay and develop at his boyhood club.

While the exact length of the deal remains undisclosed, reports suggest it’s a two-year contract with a potential one-year extension.

Govea’s impressive performances for Swansea’s academy, including three goals for the U18s, haven’t gone unnoticed. Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton, and Newcastle United all registered interest, alongside several La Liga clubs.

However, Govea, who dreams of making a name for himself with the Swans, prioritised his development in familiar surroundings. This loyalty to also Swansea reflects his strong family ties to the club. Aimar’s brother, Jordi Govea, spent three years with the Swans after arriving from Real Madrid in 2018, although injuries hampered his progress.

Swansea City academy manager Gavin Levey expressed his delight at securing Govea’s future: “Aimar is a bright young talent who has the ability to get supporters off their seats with his speed and skill. He’s still a lot to learn and Swansea City will provide both the environment and pathway to help maximise Aimar’s potential.”

While Arsenal may miss out on this promising prospect for now, they’ll undoubtedly continue find suitable players elsewhere. Govea, meanwhile, will look to impress with the Swans U21s and potentially earn a first-team breakthrough in the coming seasons.