By Wayne Veysey
Arsenal have granted permission for rising star Stan Flaherty to head to West Ham and undergo a trial, Football Insider understands.
The Gunners attacking midfielder, 17, made a goalscoring appearance for the Hammers Under-18s side in their 4-1 win over Norwich City in their Premier League South clash last Saturday.
A West Ham source source has told Football Insider that Flaherty is at the Premier League club with a view to a transfer after being given the green light by Arsenal.
The English teen has entered the final year of his scholarship contract, which is a two-year deal signed in the summer of 2018.
He has made 14 appearances for Arsenal Under-18s after joining the club at the Under-11s age group, following a lengthy spell on Watford’s books.
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Flaherty made a big impression for the West Ham youth team on Saturday, opening the scoring with his first touch when he swept in a cross from the edge of the box inside two minutes and then rounded off the win with a free-kick after 64 minutes.
The Hammers’ academy coaches will continue to assess Flaherty at close quarters before making a recommendation on whether the club should try to sign him.
In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club have been hit by a devastating player blow.