Arsenal are aiming to beat AS Roma to the signing of Al-Ahly star Ramadan Sobhy, reports the Metro.
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The 17-year-old is apparently set for a move to Europe this summer, and the Gunners are one of the clubs interested. They invited the youngster for a trial last season, but his club refused to let him go and they must now pay up if they are interested. The playmaker is also highly rated by Roma though, and the North London side will have to fight them off for his signature.
The teenager scored seven times in 22 matches for Al-Ahly last season, and also won his first cap for Egypt last summer. That made him the second youngest player to ever feature for the Pharaohs, with only former Tottenham and Middlesbrough striker Mido having played earlier in his career. As a result of these impressive stats Sobhy has been dubbed the best young player in Africa.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has a reputation for buying footballers and then developing them for the first team. In the current side Kieran Gibbs, Hector Bellerin, and Jack Wilshere are among those who have come through their academy either after being bought or joining the club as a child. Sobhy could be the latest to do this.