Arsenal's first incoming of the January transfer window has arrived in the form of 16-year-old exciting prospect Lino Da Cruz Sousa from West Bromwich Albion.
The left-back has caught the eye of those running things over at the Gunners famed Hale End academy and has been touted as a potential superstar as he develops.
Sousa spent last season playing in the Baggies U-18 side two years above his own age group such is the level of his ability.
The full-back will turn 17 in mid-January and has already met his new Gunners teammates, enjoying a training session with fellow Arsenal youngster's earlier this month.
While Sousa has Brazilian family members and would therefore would be eligible to represent the Selecao if the chance presented itself, it appears Sousa has already nailed his international colours to the mast.
Have Your Say! Who else do Arsenal need to buy in January? Comment here.
Arsenal wonderkids: 5 youngsters who could save the Gunners millions in transfer fees
The 16-year-old has represented England at both Under-16 and Under-18 levels and is well on his way to becoming a Three Lions star.
Sousa's progress was being tracked by a number of Premier League outfits but football.london report it is Arsenal that have won the race for his signature.
Having yet to make a first-team appearance at the Hawthorns, Sousa has been signed by the Gunners with both eyes firmly set on his future first-team prospects rather than fast-tracking him in to Mikel Arteta's plans this term.
West Brom's U-18 manager Peter Gilbert has previously publicly discussed how good Sousa could go on to become.
"Lino’s an athletic full-back, reads the game well, has a lovely left foot and it’s not often a 16-year-old plays an entire season with the 18s, but that’s credit to him because he has so much potential," he explained.
Arsenal's head of academy operations and former central defender Per Mertesacker is thought to have been the one who highlighted the need to add a left-back into the youth fold.
Sousa is unlikely to be Arsenal's last bit of business this window given there are a number of glaring holes in Arteta's squad in the build-up to some season-defining fixtures.
The Gunners face Liverpool in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with just two fit central midfielders to call upon as things stand in the form of 21-year-old Albert Sambi Lokonga and 18-year-old Charlie Patino.
Arteta has admitted the club will look to strengthen their midfield options while Fiorentina's star striker Dusan Vlahovic has also been linked with a move to north London.
The Serbian international is thought to have a lengthy list of potential suitors but Arsenal are seemingly in the best position to secure his signature this month.
The 21-year-old is not expected to come cheap with figures as high as £150m being reported, though it has seemingly not deterred the Gunners hierarchy.
