Newcastle United transfer targets pens farewell message ahead of Arsenal move

Arsenal have beaten Newcastle United in the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers sensation Brayden Clarke, according to reports.

The Magpies were rumoured to be keeping tabs on the 16-year-old’s situation as part of their academy rebuild. Steps have been taken since the Saudi-backed takeover to bolster the youth ranks - a previously neglected part of the club.

The January transfer window resulted in Alfie Harrison arriving from Manchester City. Previous signings include highly-rated prospects like Garang Kuol, Yankuba Minteh and Alex Murphy.

Developing talent from the academy is a prudent way to help comply with FFP/PSR regulations. Even if a player does not make the first team, flipping them for a profit - methods clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City follow - can help create further headroom.

But Newcastle appear to have missed out on Wolves prodigy Clarke. The Wales under-17 international - who arrived at Molineux aged nine - is set to join Arsenal. A report from football.london has claimed the Gunners will also avoid paying compensation for the teenager, who is capable of playing anywhere across the backline.

Those traits are ideal for Mikel Arteta as he likes centre-backs - such as Ben White - who can cover in wide areas. Clarke confirmed in a recent Instagram post that his Wolves days are numbered amid reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.

“The time has come for me to move onto a new chapter,” he wrote. “I want to thank everybody who has helped me along the journey and I wish all my teammates at Wolves the best of luck for the future.