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Arsenal secure signing of Barcelona defender as Emery closes-in on double swoop

By on June 11, 2018

According to reports in Spain via talkSPORT, Arsenal have secured the signature of highly-rated Barcelona defender Joel Lopez as Unai Emery looks to land two of Europe’s hottest young talents.

Our new head coach has wasted no time in strengthen the squad left behind by Arsene Wenger with 34-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner snapped up on a free transfer from Juventus.

However, the boss is also planning for the future as talkSPORT are citing a report from Sport that claims Arsenal have secured the signing of Barca wonderkid Joel Lopez.

The 16-year-old has been at Barca since the age of seven and has become one of their brightest young talents in recent years since progressing through the La Masia youth academy.

However, the Spanish publication says Lopez has decided to leave Catalan and has already informed the Spanish champions that he has rejected their offer of a professional contract in favour of joining Arsenal.

It’s reported that our head of recruitment, Raul Sanllehi, has played a key role in securing the deal as he targetted the teenager as soon as he left the Nou Camp for north London earlier this year.

Arsenal will have to pay Barcelona a compensation fee but it will be nothing compared to the left-back’s potential transfer value should he develop as planned at the Emirates over the coming years.

Lopez isn’t the only wonderkid we’re closing-in on as talksSPORT claim Arsenal are also on the verge of signing highly-rated midfielder Yacine Adli from Paris Saint-Germain.

As I reported last week, the 17-year-old has reportedly agreed terms over a three-year deal with Arsenal after being convinced to snub PSG in favour of a move to north London.

MORE: Arsenal to sign £16m defender

There have been rumours of a last minute change of heart by the teen, but those have already been played down by the player and talkSPORT seem to think the deal is still close to completion.