Report: Aston Villa strike deal to sign Arsenal youngster wanted by Juventus and Glasgow Rangers

Aston Villa have seen off stiff competition for young Arsenal full-back Lino Sousa.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Unai Emery has struck a deal with the Gunners that will see the England under-19 international move to Villa Park before Thursday’s 11pm transfer window deadline.

And that represents bad news for Rangers, Galatasaray and Juventus, who were all reportedly keen to do business with Arsenal for the former West Bromwich Albion youngster.

A medical is supposedly due to be completed ‘in the next hours’ and, once done, the 19-year-old could become Emery’s second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of fellow youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic earlier this month.

It also ensures a busy end of the month for Villa fans, with the club also in the final stages of completing a £15m transfer for Middlesbrough winger Morgan Rogers. A move for Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci is also being reported.

Sousa, who was born in Portugal but moved to Wolverhampton when he was eight, has been with Arsenal since January 2022, when he moved from West Brom.

The left-sided defender is yet to feature for the Gunners at senior level, but has made the bench for Mikel Arteta’s side - including earlier this month when he was an unused substitute for the north London side’s defeat to Liverpool in the third round of this season’s FA Cup.

Sousa has featured 10 times for Arsenal’s under-21s this season and would be considered one for the future if a move to Villa goes through.