Report reveals Arsenal lead chase for young Irish midfielder | OneFootball

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Victor Ozhianvuna, a 16-year-old prospect who has broken into the senior setup at Shamrock Rovers, according to a report by Daniel McDonnell in the Irish Independent.

Arsenal keen to swoop for Rovers starlet Ozhianvuna Irish Independent 24 Apr 2025 DANIEL McDONNELL

Ozhianvuna, who has played at wing-back but is viewed as a long-term central midfield prospect, is attracting attention from multiple Premier League and European clubs.

However, it is Arsenal who have made what the Irish Independent calls “the strongest advances.”

Back to 2023, he was part of a Rovers youth side that won every match in the Hale End Cup, beating Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester, Manchester City, and Aston Villa in the process.

Due to his age, any move to the Premier League would need to follow a pre-contract model similar to the one that brought Mason Melia from St Patrick’s Athletic to Tottenham, a deal reportedly worth €1.9 million up front.

Ozhianvuna turns 18 in January 2027, which would delay any formal transfer under current FIFA rules, but clubs are said to be open to securing an agreement this summer that would take effect in 18 months.

There is also interest from Europe, where the regulations would allow for a potential move as early as this summer, but the Irish Independent suggests that the structured, long-term approach seen in the Melia deal “is an attractive one, and it’s believed that potential suitors are open to the idea of trying to reach an agreement this summer to secure his services.”