Arsenal set to sign PSG youngster Yacine Adli

Reports in France suggest that Arsenal have agreed on a move for Yacine Adli. The French footballer will become Arsenal’s first signing.

Arsenal are set to make their first signing of the summer as a deal has been agreed for Yacine Adli. The French youngster, who is an academy graduate for PSG, has signed a three-year deal with Arsenal, according to ESPN FC.

ESPN FC reports that the 17-year old youngster was on Arsenal’s radar since March. The club’s head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat tracked Adli’s performances at PSG’s B team.

Unai Emery handed Adli his first professional debut during his time at Paris Saint Germain. The game remains his only appearance for PSG’s senior team. He has played 9 games for the ‘B’ team, scoring three goals.

The midfielder has been compared to Adrian Rabiot, and is deemed a potential superstar at Paris Saint Germain. According to the report, clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona were also monitoring the French youngster. However, no formal contact was made.

PSG have a rotten luck in retaining their academy graduates. They are already on the verge of losing youngster Claudio Gomes to Manchester City.

Adli was unconvinced by PSG’s future plans for him, and Arsenal’s offer for more game time and presence of Unai Emery may have influenced Adli’s decision.

It is increasingly likely that his first appearance for PSG last season may also be his last for the Paris club. While PSG’s manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly asked for an in-depth look into the youth academy, the move will raise some eyebrows inside the club’s hierarchy.

Interestingly, Adli played on the wings for France during the U-17 World Cup last year, where he registered the highest number of assists (5).

Arsenal are also on the verge of signing Sokratis Papasthatopoulos from Borussia Dortmund, while a deal for Stephan Lichtsteiner is also in place.