Arsene Wenger on the touchline
Arsene Wenger is hoping for his academy graduates to come good Getty Images

Arsenal have won the race to sign Portuguese starlet Domingos Quina from Chelsea and the 16-year-old will sign a professional contract with the club in the summer. The youngster signed for Chelsea as a 13-year-old but has refused to accept a scholarship with the Blues allowing the Gunners to swoop in for the playmaker.

The Telegraph reports that the Gunners were heavily invested in the youngster and signing a deal with the Gunners will mean that the player will now be a part of the Arsenal academy, but any such transaction can only happen after the player turns 17, as per Fifa rules. The Mirror reported that Manchester United were also interested in the player and were ready to hand him a lucrative contract. Arsene Wenger will be hoping that he has found another Alex Iwobi who can lead the Gunners to glory in the future.

The Nigerian scored in his debut start for the Gunners in the Premier League against Everton, giving Arsenal their first win in the league in four games. The north London club's lack of form has been a major concern for Wenger, which has seen them go 11 points adrift of Leicester City and six behind Tottenham Hotspur, albeit having played a game less.

Arsenal have a good record with academy products and are known for their propensity to promote young achievers into the first team. Jack Wilshere, Hector Bellerin, Ashley Young and Cesc Fabregas had all started young and established themselves as an integral part of the squad.

Quina, who was working with the Chelsea academy, will be hoping to display his talent at Arsenal. The coup will come as a major boost for the north London club, who have been found wanting in recent times against the other big clubs in the league in attracting top talent.

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