Arsenal scouting Queen’s Park goalkeeper Callan McKenna
Arsenal want Queen’s Park goalkeeper Callan McKenna and have sent a scout to watch him in action, according to the Daily Record.
The 16-year-old helped the Scottish Championship club to a 2-1 win over Arbroath on Saturday, and a representative from the Gunners and Southampton were in the stadium to run the rule over him.
However, Arsenal face competition from Brighton and Hove Albion for the services of the McKenna, with the Seagulls already in talks with Queens.
Southampton are long-term admirers of the teenage sensation, but the interest from Arsenal and the Seagulls could be too tempting for the goalie to turn down.
The Gunners are already closing in on Brentford goalie David Raya, with the Spain international set to join them on a season-long loan as manager Mikel Arteta wants quality competition and cover for England international Aaron Ramsdale.
While McKenna has been playing first-team regularly with Queen’s Park, he will be joining the Arsenal youth team should they successfully land him this summer.
Their under-21s were very woeful at the back last term, going without a league clean sheet for seven months and keeping a clean sheet just once (in October) in the whole of their Premier League 2 campaign.
Landing McKenna could help manager Mehmet Ali get the best out of his boys, and the youngster will also hope to impress Arteta and quickly force his way into the first-team.
The Scotland youth international only signed his first professional contract in January but has already established himself as a key player for his side.
McKenna will be swapping first-team football for youth-team football if he leaves Queen’s Park for Arsenal, and whether he is prepared to make such a sacrifice remains to be seen.
