Man Utd & Barcelona looking to poach Arsenal wonderkid for free

Manchester United are confident of beating Barcelona to the signature of highly rated Arsenal teenager Ayden Heaven, it has been revealed.

Heaven, 18, is in the final six months of his contract with Arsenal and has been offered the chance to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium. He made his debut under Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End earlier this season and has been an unused substitute in a handful of Premier League games.

Fabrizio Romano states Heaven is considering offers from both United and Barcelona, with the Red Devils currently leading the race to snap up the centre-back.

Heaven was in attendance at Old Trafford for United's Europa League victory over Rangers as he weighs up the options available to him.

Should Heaven move to United, he would be the second highly rated Gunners prospect to make the move in 12 months after the Red Devils snapped up striker Chido Obi-Martin, who broke Arsenal's academy scoring record last year, following the expiry of his contract last summer.

Still only 17, Obi-Martin has nine goals in just seven games for United's Under-18 side this season and recently made his first appearance for the Under-21s in the UEFA Youth League, playing against players four years his elder.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD