Exclusive: Arsenal agree deadline-beating deal to sign St Mirren sensation
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign teenage St Mirren winger Evan Mooney on deadline day, sources have told Football Insider.
Mooney, 18, is seen as one for the future and will join up with the Gunners’ academy side rather than being lined up as a first-team signing.
The attacker is now set to join Arsenal before tonight’s 7pm deadline after they accelerated moves to strengthen their ranks at youth level.
Mooney has a contract at St Mirren until 2028 after putting pen to paper on a contract extension last year, but Arsenal have now moved to tempt him away.
Arsenal set to sign St Mirren star Evan Mooney
Mooney has made 23 appearances for the St Mirren first team, picking up one goal and one assist in that time, after coming through their youth ranks.
He is also a Scotland Under-19 international and remains very highly-regarded in his home country, as he is seen as a bright prospect for the future.
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on his performances in the SPFL so far this season have moved quickly to beat other potential admirers to his signature.
Capable of playing both on the wing, through the middle and as a number ten, Mooney is being backed to make an impact in the second half of the season.
Arsenal set to miss out on another Scottish sensation
Arsenal’s youth scouts have been keeping a close eye on Scotland, with a number of high-potential players identified to bolster their academy ranks.
Hearts striker James Wilson had emerged as a target on deadline day, but they now look set to miss out after their rivals made a move for his signature.
However, Tottenham are closing in on Wilson, who had initially looked like he would be moving to the Emirates, while Celtic were also interested.
The 18-year-old striker is regarded as one of Scotland’s most promising players and has already received one cap for the senior national team.
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