"?Arsenal are on the verge of completing the signing of Kelechi Nwakali, dubbed a 'Nigerian wonderkid', from the Diamond Football Academy for a fee of £3m, the "?Mirror reports.
The 18-year-old midfielder has reportedly been a long-term target for the Gunners, after catching the eye of Arsenal scouts during the U17 FIFA World Cup in Chile last summer, in which he played a significant role in helping the Nigerian side claim the trophy, as well as picking up an award for Player of the Tournament.
According to further reports from "?The Express, the young Nigerian flew into London as early as January to undergo a medical, as well as discussing personal terms with the club.
Due to a delay in visa confirmation however, the deal wasn't released to the media until March, when Nwakali was quoted as saying: "I just came back from London, I have signed a five-year contract with Arsenal.
"So many teams were interested in me but it has been my dream at a tender age to play for Arsenal."?
Wunderkind Watching; The Kinglike Kelechi Nwakali #TheTalentScout #AFC #Wonderkid https://t.co/QOSe33u6Pi pic.twitter.com/0RXjv93hZH
The delay for the finalisation of the transfer has also been put down to the age of Nwakali, with the club being forced to wait until the player turned 18 this month to officially reveal their new signing.
The player is keen to prove his worth by staking a claim for first team football at the Emirates: "I am going to Arsenal to work and try to be the best I can.
"With God anything is possible, to work hard to justify my claim for first team football."
Despite being trialled by Manchester City, as well as looked at by German giants Bayern Munich, the young Nigerian has expressed his desire to work under Arsene Wenger, with the box-to-box midfielder also being compared to club legend and former captain Patrick Vieira.