Aston Villa have reportedly agreed a late deal to sign Arsenal youngster Lino Sousa on a permanent deal.
Sousa is set to undergo a medical at Villa Park before signing ahead of tomorrow's deadline day.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Rangers, Galatasaray and Juventus were also keen on signing Sousa.
But Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, have won the race to sign the talented teenager.
Lino Sousa is set to join Aston Villa from Arsenal in a permanent deal
Getty
Romano does not disclose whether Villa will pay a fee for Sousa, who has not made a first-team appearance for the Gunners.
The 19-year-old was on the bench for a Premier League match last season and was also an unused substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.
Sousa joined Arsenal from West Brom in January 2022 at the age of 17 and signed a professional contract at the Emirates.
He has been a regular in first-team training through much of this season but hasn't been given a chance by Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal were without a recognised left-back at the turn of the year, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber all injured.
Centre-back Jakub Kiwior was played on the left of defence while Sousa failed to get a look in.
Sousa was born in Portugal but has played for England from under-15 to under-19 level.
If he completes a move to Villa, he will likely initially provide back-up to Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno.
Villa are currently on their worst run of the season, having won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Tuesday saw them lose their 17-match unbeaten record at home, with Newcastle running out 3-1 winners.
A Fabian Schar brace put the visitors 2-0 up before half-time before Moreno scored an own goal early in the second half.
Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back for the hosts but they were unable to forge a late comeback.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Lino Sousa has been a regular in the Arsenal first-team training sessions
Getty
Emery admitted after the match that Newcastle deserved to win the game
The Spaniard said: "I’m a little bit frustrated and a little bit disappointed but very proud of the way we did.
"The loss has to come one day and Newcastle deserved it overall. In the first 60 minutes they were better than us; strong in set pieces and we conceded two goals.
"We weren’t controlling the game like we planned and we were doing before in other matches. The consequence at the end was the loss.
Unai Emery is set to raid former club Arsenal to sign Lino Sousa
Getty
"I’m very proud for our supporters and very proud of the players of the way we did.
"It’s finished (the unbeaten run) because we lost after a very long time being successful here.
"We’re going to work again, to react quickly and to be strong again with our supporters here."
