Arsenal in pole position to beat Manchester United and Liverpool to signing of 16-year-old Sunderland striker Sam Greenwood

Arsenal are closing on a deal to sign Sunderland's 16-year-old striker Sam Greenwood who was a target for Manchester United and Liverpool. 

Greenwood, who has been called up by England at U16 level, scored six goals and provided as many assists for Sunderland's U18 side in the league last season.

The prospect was also prolific for Sunderland's U16 team and has attracted interest from Stuttgart.

It is Arsenal, however, who appear set to sign the prospect. If the deal goes ahead then he will initially join on a scholarship deal before signing professional terms when he turns 17 in January.

Although Arsenal are seeking to improve significantly in the short term under new head coach Unai Emery, the club are eager to uphold their ethos of giving youngsters opportunities.

If he did join the Gunners then Greenwood would have to be patient for playing time at first-team level, but he could get the chance to train with Emery's squad.

Arsenal have already made one signing at youth level this summer, bringing in Estonian goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein from Nomme United.

SOURCE: Dailymail