Arsenal ‘hope to finally tie down academy wonderkid Khayon Edwards, 18, to pro deal after months of contract talks’

ARSENAL academy wonderkid Khayon Edwards is reportedly “moving closer” to penning a professional contract at the club.

The 18-year-old has been in red-hot form for Arsenal’s youth sides this season.

Edwards is currently on a scholarship deal that is set to expire at the end of the campaign.

And after months of negotiations over a professional contract the striker is close to finally signing along the dotted line, football.london report.

The starlet has the same agent as fellow Arsenal youngsters Bukayo Sako and Folarin Balogun.

Tying Edwards down to a pro contract would be a coup for the Gunners after the likes of Chelsea, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle AND Southampton were all claimed to have shown interest in signing him.

Edwards has scored 17 goals for the young Gunners this time, mostly for the U18 side.

The frontman has bagged 16 times in just 16 games for the U18s.

He’s also contributed a further six assists, proving the youngster has more than just an eye for goal.

Only Balogun, currently on loan at Middlesbrough, has been involved in more goals for the academy this season than Edwards.

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He is one of a number of youngsters currently in talks with Arsenal over a professional deal, while others have already penned pro contracts.

It comes after Academy boss Per Mertesacker spoke of his vision to create a “Strong Young Gunners” at a Youth Development webinar.

The former Gunner explained: “I think it was formulated four years ago, in my last season as a player.

“I came up with a framework of what I believe, from my own experience and also by talking to people.

“Strong Young Gunners means this is our vision where we want our players to stand strong in every scenario they will face.

“We are passionate about creating youngsters who can rise to any challenge and we have a rich history and heritage we want to pay tribute to and carry on.”