Arsenal are believed to be close to losing highly-rated youngster Chris Willock at present, with Benfica believed to be closing in.
The young midfielder has been mentioned on numerous occasions as one of the stand-out players from our academy, but was only promoted to the first-team squad to make two League Cup appearances.
His lack of action in the first-team set-up is likely have been a telling factor as he rejected our contract offers, and is now set to leave on a free transfer, albeit with his new club ordered to pay a development fee to our club.
Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica have all been linked with his capture in recent months, but it is the latter who look set to land his signature.
It is believed that the offer of an important role in the first-team squad is what has swayed him to snub the advances of Dortmund in favour of a move to Portugal, and it will be interesting to see him try and make his mark in the Primeira Liga, and the Champions League.
For Arsenal on the other hand, it poses as another young future star to have opted for a move away from the club, before really getting a chance to prove himself in our own set-up.
Serge Gnabry left last summer to move to German side Werder Bremen, although there is contrasting reports as to whether Bayern Munich had a hand in his return to Germany, and the German giants have made him their player this summer, although a loan move is being mooted for him in the current window.
Many Gunners fans have grown annoyed at hearing the plaudits given to Gnabry after he departed from our club, and he has been impressing in the Bundesliga and the German senior side, which is frustrating knowing he was never given a real chance to shine in our famous red shirt.
Will Willock prove to be another failure for our club? Should he have been given more playing time?
Pat J