Sunderland's England U16 international Sam Greenwood is close to joining Premier League giants Arsenal after agreeing a deal according to TeamTalk.

Team Talk also claim that fellow Premier League sides Manchester United and Liverpool were interested in the exciting youngster.

However, it is the Gunners who have now emerged as leaders in the hunt for his services. Sunderland will be due a fee for their efforts in developing the striker who was prolific in both the U16s and U18s for the Black Cats last season.

If the deal is confirmed, Greenwood will be unable to sign professional terms immediately. He will initially join on a scholarship deal before signing professional terms when he turns 17 next year.

The Sunderland academy has a proud record of producing good quality players, with both Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson coming through the ranks, with both now on World Cup duty with England over in Russia.

The Verdict

Sunderland's academy does have a great record of bringing players through, whereas the bigger clubs seem to end up farming them out on loan, back down the leagues.

Obviously, a move to the Gunners is a dream for the youngster, but first-team football is a million miles away in North London and the journey has only just started. Perhaps he might have been better staying put at the Stadium of Light where he may have got a game or two in League One.

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