Arsenal Prepare Summer Swoop for Southampton Starlet Callum Slattery - Report

Arsenal are preparing a move for Southampton starlet Callum Slattery in the summer, according to the Sunday People.

The youngster has been touted to be a superstar in the same mould as Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott and Arsenal are looking to prise him away from the Saints before he signs a professional contract. The 16-year-old is yet to commit to a deal and is waiting for other options as he mulls taking the path followed by the likes of Bale, Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or staying put at Southampton to get more first team action.

Arsene Wenger had sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the player in action and is looking to make a move in the summer. Meanwhile, Southampton are desperate to keep Callum at St Mary's, failure to do which can cost them, as was seen after their failure to bind Walcott and Bale to long terms.

This will be Arsenal's third foray into the Saint's youth system, having previously bought Walcott and Chamberlain from their academy. Wenger is a huge fan of the Saints and has previously expressed his admiration for their youth setup which has given rise to a plethora of talents over the years.

"The question of Southampton's academy set-up is a very good one because they have done a fabulous job," Wenger said.

"Why? It is down to the quality of their scouting, the quality of their coaching and education. When you look at what Bale is doing, and Walcott.

"And now they have they [sic] players like Morgan Schneiderlin, they have brought some players of top, top quality and they work well. They have fantastic scouting," he added.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the league, one point above Everton who play Manchester United later in the day. The Gunners have an early kick-off against Hull City, where a win will alleviate their fears and make them favourites to win the race for a place in the top four.