HEAVEN SENT
Man Utd ‘set to swipe another Arsenal wonderkid’ after Chido Obi-Martin deal as star, 18, in attendance at Old Trafford
United are expected to beat some tough competition to the teen's signature
MANCHESTER UNITED are in line to steal away a second Arsenal wonderkid this season, according to reports.
The Red Devils already nicked the Gunners' rising star bagsman Chido Obi-Martin in the summer and now they have their sights set on centre-back Ayden Heaven.
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Heaven, 18, is a towering defender and highly rated by Arsenal, where he has spent the last five years in the club's youth ranks.
But with his contract set to expire this summer, Man Utd are looking to pounce and lure him to Old Trafford.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Man Utd have made contact with Arsenal over signing the teenager.
It's understood that the Red Devils are leading the race to sign the youngster with the likes of Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt both making approaches for the England U19 international too.
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United are said to be confident of getting a deal done with Heaven in attendance at the Theatre of Dreams last night for the club's 2-1 Europa League win over Rangers.
Arsenal are still hoping to keep hold of Heaven and have reportedly tabled a new contract offer to persuade him to stay.
Mikel Arteta gave the left-footed centre-half his professional debut for the Gunners' during their 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston North End this season.
While he was also a part of Arteta's squad for their pre-season tour of the USA and has featured on the bench in the Champions League and Prem five times this term.
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Heaven spoke about Arteta's "trust" in him after his 10-minute cameo against Preston.
“I’ve waited a long time. Today the day finally came, I’m just happy", he said.
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"I thank my team-mates, my family and everyone that’s got me here.
“I feel like Mikel has trust in me. I feel that’s a big part in it and yeah, I just feel like there’s trust when it comes to making your competitive debut.”
While Arteta gushed about Heaven following his efforts in a 2-1 win over suitors Man Utd during the pre-season tour in LA.
He said: "At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this.
“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen.
“But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”
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Heaven signed for the Gunners in 2019 after being released by West Ham as a 12-year-old, having also had trials at Chelsea and Fulham – turning down the latter because training was too far from his north London home in Edmonton.
The teen is known to be a boyhood Arsenal fan, citing his heroes growing up as Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, but now looks ready to cut ties with the team he supported as kid.
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