Arsenal are ready to loan out midfield kingpin Ben Sheaf just weeks after he signed a new contract, according to Football Insider.
The football news site claim that the Gunners have given the green light for Sheaf, 19, to leave on a temporary deal for the second half of the season.
Football Insider report that Arsenal are open to offers for the highly rated teenager who can count Arsene Wenger among his admirers.
It is said that Portsmouth are among the Football League clubs who have expressed an interest in taking Sheaf on loan but Arsenal have not yet decided on his destination.
The north Londoners are keen for the central midfielder, who can also play in defence, to get regular first-team action under his belt before returning to Emirates Stadium in the summer.
The 19-year-old made his first-team debut earlier this season with a substitute’s appearance in the Europa League win over Red Star in Belgrade in October.
Good move for Arsenal?
Yes. Sheaf was rewarded with a contract extension by the Gunners at the start of December and is clearly considered a rising star. But he has grown beyond age-group football after three seasons and needs to be tested against senior pros. A temporary move to a lower league club where he can play regularly in his best position would be ideal.
Likely to happen?
Given that Arsenal feel a loan move is the next stage in Sheaf’s development and are actively trying to find him a new club, expect an announcement in the coming days that he has sealed a loan move.