afc Arsene Wenger poised to seal deal for latest Spanish prodigy

[RaRe UnO.]

Arsenalâs previous recruitment of two Spaniards provoked anger from Barcelona, but the imminent signing of Ignasi Miquel is being completed without fuss. The 15-year-old, who was released by the Catalan club, has been converted into a powerful centre back by Unión Deportiva Cornellà, a team on the outskirts of Barcelona. Arsenal faced competition from Manchester United and Celtic for his signature, but Miquel has decided that he wants to follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fàbregas, 20, and Fran Mérida, 17, who joined Arsenal after coming through the Barcelona academy. The three players have the same agent, Joseba DÃaz.Andrés Manzano, the Cornellà sporting director, is expected to arrive in London this week to agree a compensation package. Arsenal paid £700,000 for Fàbregas and £2.2 million to Barcelona on behalf of Mérida after a Spanish civil court ruled in October that the younger midfield player had broken an agreement he had signed with the Catalan club. Manzano said that Arsenal showed the most enthusiasm of all the clubs interested in the player. âMiquel is very strong physically and outstanding in the air,â Manzano said. âHeâs also very comfortable [on the ball], with a good left foot. The sale will fund 700 kids in our youth set-up.âMiquel, 6ft 3in, will sign a professional contract with Arsenal when he turns 16 in October. He began his career at Espanyol before spending five years playing at left back for the Barcelona youth team, but the Catalan club believed that he was not good enough technically. He spent three days in London last week being shown around the training ground, the Emirates Stadium and the accommodation for the youth players. He also spoke to Fàbregas and Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, who convinced him that he had an opportunity to break into the first team within a few years. He returned to Barcelona last Thursday âdazzledâ by the offer.Miquel came to prominence with impressive displays for Spain Under-16 against Scotland, Norway and Portugal during a tournament in Oporto this month. He was spotted by Francis Cagigao, the Arsenal scout who alerted Wenger to Fàbregas.

[Apocalyptica]

6'3'' at the age of 15.

[Dizzle]

6'3'' at the age of 15.

[Taurus]

6'3'' at the age of 15.

lol raah

[Lenny Jr.]

6'3'' at the age of 15.

lol raah

Dude is nearly as tall as me

[LemonGuy]

[GT]

6'3'' at the age of 15.

lol raah

[Sneakz]

Once i saw 15 years old i stopped reading

[8BALL]

Once i saw 15 years old i stopped reading

Why? Do you remember what age Cesc was when he started playing for Arsenal?

[n/a]

Once i saw 15 years old i stopped reading

Why? Do you remember what age Cesc was when he started playing for Arsenal?

exactly what i was thinkin

[Doom]

whats going on with nordveit, hes a similar age right?

[n/a]

i think he had a injury missed most of winter but hes a good prospect

[DINKY]

yeah i was reading about the 15 year old in the papaer hopefully he is a wonderkid

[MrJibbles]

whats going on with nordveit, hes a similar age right?

He's older and back from injury and captain of the reserves. Looks pretty good from what I've seen.