Arsenal close in on striker loan transfer, deal should move fast - reliable journalist

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Published on:

29 Jan 2017, 6:56 am

By Alex Stevens

Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal for young gun Stephy Mavididi to join MK Dons on loan, according to a reliable journalist.

Sun correspondent Alan Nixon took to Twitter on Sunday morning to reveal that the Gunners are in talks with the League One side about transferring the England youth striker, 18, for the remainder of the season.

Nixon, who has a transfer column in the newspaper, reported on his personal Twitter account that discussions "should move on fast" as an agreement nears.

England Under-19 international Mavididi has progressed through the youth ranks at Arsenal and caught the eye of lower league clubs with his performances.

He has been a regular for the Arsenal Under-23s this season, scoring an impressive six goals from 11 Premier League 2 encounters.

The Derby-born forward has yet to represent the London giants at senior level but has accumulated 40 appearances at Under-23s level, which have yielded 20 goals.

Football Insider verdict:

With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, fit-again Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez battling the attacking positions in Arsene Wenger's side, not to mention the likes of emerging star Chuba Akpom, there is little chance of Mavididi getting a first-team chance any time soon. It makes total sense for the teenager to get game time in the lower leagues, just as the likes of Akpom and Benik Afobe have successfully done. A move to MK Dons in the third tier will help get Mavididi used to the physicality of senior football as well as provide an intense examination of his readiness for top-flight football.

In other Arsenal transfer news, the club have clinched a playmaker agreement that ensures star man is at the club next season.

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