Arsenal are expected to learn this week if they have won the race for Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan.
The Gunners are big fans of the 18-year-old midfielder, who is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football.
Nypan, who made his debut for Norwegian club Rosenborg when he was just 15, is also reportedly attracting interest from Aston Villa and Spanish club Girona, the latter of whom are owned by the City Football Group.
The teenager’s father, Arne Nypan, has now confirmed after talks were held with interested clubs that a decision is expected on his son’s future before the transfer window closes on Monday.
“It is an advantage to put it behind us and make a decision before the window closes,” he told Nettavisen in Norway.
“They are big and professional clubs [interested in Nypan], but what impresses me is how thoroughly nice people are who have good values.
“They are really concerned about Sverre, which we were careful about. They value him so highly that he is more than just a piece in a big game.
“It would have been easy if there were some alternatives where some were obviously better than others, but it is difficult. It is at a very high level and will be good anyway.”
Asked about the possibility of Nypan signing elsewhere and returning to Rosenborg on loan until the summer, his father added: “I think Sverre is open to both options. He hasn’t gotten there in the process yet, so we have to discuss that.”
Arsenal will hope that getting the chance to play alongside current Norway captain Martin Odegaard helps them win the race for Nypan.
Odegaard, like Nypan, was a teenage star in Norway and left the country as a 15-year-old to sign for Real Madrid.
Arsenal have also shown a track record of developing young players this season. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both broken into the first team despite being 17 at the start of the campaign.
