Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign England Under-19 international Jaden Dixon from Stoke City.
The 18-year-old defender made his Stoke debut in the Championship last season, but has not played for the first team during the current campaign.
A source has told the BBC the deal is worth around £500,000.
Arsenal have changed the way they have gone about their academy recruitment in recent years and now have a more aggressive approach in signing young players.
The move for England Under-21 goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax in 2024 was an example of this.
The highly rated 19-year-old was a signing for the academy, but has been training with the first team since he arrived.
Arsenal have also recently agreed deals for Ecuadorian twins, Edwin and Holger Quintero, as well as signing 17-year-old Shamrock Rovers forward Victor Ozhianvuna, with the trio set to join when they turn 18.