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Arsenal have opened talks with Southampton over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Young Guns has learnt, but the two sides are still far apart in their valuation of the 17-year-old.

The deal appeared to be close in January, but Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese pulled the plug on the transfer after Arsène Wenger went public about it. However, Arsenal have since returned to the negotiating table, and have been given permission to talk to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has already visited London Colney.

The England Under 21 international has all but agreed on a contract, but Southampton are yet to receive an offer they are happy with. Arsenal are thought to be prepared to offer a little more than the £10 million they put forward in January, but its not clear the payment structure of that offer.

It remains to be seen how quickly the two clubs can settle on a deal, with Arsenal now concentrating on tying up the formalities for Gervinho, as well as closing in on other targets.

Levante have opened talks with Arsenal over Brazilian duo Wellington Silva and Pedro Botelho, as Arsène Wenger begins to shape his first-team squad for next season.

The La Liga outfit are rebuilding their squad under new manager Juan Ignacio Martínez, who coached Botelho at Cartagena last season. Martínez has made the pacy winger one of his top targets, and initial discussions have proved fruitful, with Wenger already telling Botelho he will not be part of his first-team squad next year.

Levante are also keen to secure a second loan spell for Wellington, who spent the final six months of last season with the Valencia outfit, but only made two substitute appearances. Martínez is a big fan of the young forward, and confirmed he tried to sign him in January, only for Silva to rejected the offer of regular first-team action for the attractions of La Liga.

Botelho has two years left on his contract, and the initial signs are that Arsenal won’t renew it, without a spell in the Spanish top flight. The club had to pay 90% of his wages last season, as Cartagena remained skeptical of his attitude. However, his cult status there is now secure, after a stunning campaign.

The step up to La Liga promises to be a good one for Botelho, and with Wellington set to work under a coach who has close contacts with Arsenal, the pair would significantly benefit from securing deals with Levante.

Arsenal are following a number of promising young players, but are not close to firming up that interest with firm offers, in a week which has seen a number of exciting prospects transferred.

Steve Rowley and his team have all bases covered at present, with a contingent of scouts working at the current Under 21 Championships in Denmark. Elsewhere, Gilles Grimandi has recently returned from the Toulon Tournament, on another fruitful trip.

Grimandi has been hard at work throughout the season, and two of his more highly rated finds are being strongly linked. Those include French Under 21 duo Emmanuel Rivière and Raphaël Varane, with the latter being subject of praise from Arsène Wenger this week.

Much has also been made of an apparent deal for Southampton’s 17-year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein has confirmed to Young Guns that his sources know nothing of such an agreement. Arsenal remain interested, having been in talks during the January window.

Two players Arsenal have been scouting that are unlikely to be signed are AIK youngster Alexander Milošević, who looks likely to stay another season in Sweden, and Argentine midfielder Ricardo Álvarez, who is subject of mass interest from Malaga and Roma. Both clubs are due to open talks over Álvarez shortly.

The priority for Wenger is clearly more experienced faces, but expect him to sign at least one promising prospect in his summer reshuffle.

There are a number of exciting youth tournaments taking place this summer, most with involvement from Arsenal players. The Caspian Cup is no different, and features new signing Héctor Bellerín.

Bellerín is in action with Spain’s Under 16’s, and he scored their fifth goal in a 6-0 rout against Tajikistan. He began on the right of midfield, and started and then finished a flowing move. You can watch the highlights here, with Héctor’s goal coming at 1.25 into the video.

Fellow new boy Jon Toral is injured so was not included. There is live streaming of this competition, follow our Twitter or Facebook pages for full information.

Arsenal’s loanees are some of the most talked about and debated players at the club, with thousands of fans using websites, blogs and social media to put their points across on potential stars of the future.

However, few truly know the daily goings on of players at their loan clubs like the actual supporters of that particular outfit. To get the full perspective on another crop of exciting youngsters, Young Guns’ Loanee Analysis sees me catch up with journalists who follow their club closely.

To get the low-down on Gavin Hoyte, I caught up with Leigh Curtis of the Lincolnshire Echo. He gave me the Lincoln perspective on Gavin.

What was the feeling when Gavin signed for Lincoln?

“Lincoln fans believed it was a great addition amid genuine excitement that Arsène Wenger had allowed one of his young protégés to play in League Two. Everybody was hoping to see a player who fitted the Arsenal mould which was quick, comfortable on the ball but possessed the qualities of a Premier League full-back in attack.”

How has the season been, and what part did Gavin play in it?

“It was a very disappointing season and seeing Gavin damage knee ligaments was one of a number of lowlights. He was exceptional while he was here and contributed to the club’s drive away from the relegation zone in February. From speaking to the players, he was popular in the dressing room not least with the other loan players. Unfortunately, Gavin then injured his knee against Chesterfield and I’ve no doubt he would have been a great asset in the last few games of the season. Whether he would have helped keep them up remains unknown, but they would have certainly stood a better chance.”

What would you consider his highlights this season?

“Personally, I felt his performance at Bradford, in a 2-1 win, was outstanding and showed what a good player he was. In the first half, Bradford attacked him at will and was certainly not being helped out by his winger. On some occasions he was faced with two players, but defended magnificently. He then set-up Delroy Facey’s goal with a free-kick. He never put a foot wrong.”

What would you consider his low-lights this season?

“The knee injury against Chesterfield which ended his season.”

What does the future hold and do you think he’ll make the grade at Arsenal?

“It depends on how long Arsenal are prepared to wait. If you were to ask me whether he is ready now, then I would say no. The situation isn’t helped with Arsenal going six years without a trophy so that patience required for him to develop is not going to exist. I think he’s a terrific player, but I suspect Wenger would rather go out and buy an import, or somebody who is already established, if Bacary Sagna left. He wouldn’t be the first or last English player to leave a big Premier League club without being given an opportunity.”

You can read all the articles in this series in our loanees area.

Carl Jenkinson’s short-term future with Arsenal will be decided during the summer, when Arsène Wenger will hand the 19-year-old a chance to earn a first-team place during pre-season.

Jenkinson revealed the news in his first official interview after completing his £1 million switch from Charlton Athletic. The lifelong Arsenal fan, who was in the stands at the Emirates on numerous occasions last season, told Arsenal Player he will be given the chance to prove himself, and complete the journey from fan to player.

“The plan is for me to go away with the first-team over pre-season. It’s up to me to prove myself, and show that I’m a good player.”

Carl is expected to move between the Reserves and first-team squad during the season, offering both Wenger and Neil Banfield an option anywhere in defence.

The Finland Under 21 international will be one of the first faces at London Colney when training resumes in under a months time.

Arsène Wenger will use pre-season to run the rule over Kyle Bartley, before deciding on his future. Scottish Champions Rangers have already contacted the Frenchman over a second loan spell.

Bartley was singled out as one of Ally McCoist’s top transfer targets before the season had even finished, and the newly appointed Gers boss told The Evening Times last week that he had made contact over a deal. McCoist has previously admitted his desire to buy Kyle, but said this was unlikely.

Wenger is now said to have promised Bartley a chance to earn a place in the squad during pre-season, after spending the last 18 months on loan. Should the 20-year-old not do enough to impress, another loan spell looks likely, but that would be towards the end of the transfer window.

Whether McCoist is prepared to wait until then remains to be seen.

Arsenal’s loanees are some of the most talked about and debated players at the club, with thousands of fans using websites, blogs and social media to put their points across on potential stars of the future.

However, few truly know the daily goings on of players at their loan clubs like the actual supporters of that particular outfit. To get the full perspective on another crop of exciting youngsters, Young Guns’ Loanee Analysis sees me catch up with journalists who follow their club closely.

To get the low-down on Benik Afobe, I caught up with Doug Thomson, a football writer for the Huddersfield Examiner. He gave me the Terriers perspective on Afobe.

What was the feeling when Benik signed for Huddersfield?

“Lee Clark told me that he had signed Benik back in November, and I was very excited about it. He told us what a top prospect he was, what a good youth system Arsenal had, and how he had listened to Arsene Wenger at coaching seminars and built up a relationship with him. Lee was very pleased that a club like Arsenal considered Huddersfield a suitable place for one of their young players to gain experience.”

How has the season been, and what part did Benik play in it?

“Benik’s early time at Town was interrupted by him returning to Arsenal for Youth Cup and Reserve games, and also for treatment to injuries, and some supporters questioned whether the loan was worthwhile. Lee Clark, however, was insistent that he wanted to keep the player, and he was proved correct, because Benik became increasingly influential within the team, especially in away games when he played as the central striker in a three-man frontline.”

What would you consider his highlights this season?

“His biggest high has to be his two-goal and assist haul in the 3-2 win at champions Brighton.”

What would you consider his low-lights this season?

“Probably missing out on the chance to face his parent club in the FA Cup which would have been intriguing.”

What does the future hold and do you think he’ll make the grade at Arsenal?

“It’s always hard to tell how young players will develop, and chances at a big club like Arsenal are always going to be fewer than at lower-division teams, but from what we’ve seen Benik certainly has a chance, especially if he can hone his finishing skills.”

Any other stats, facts or little pieces of extra information?

“Benik’s scored eight goals in 35 appearances, 21 of which have been starts. He started the last 11 games running.”

“It’s fair to say he became a fans’ favourite, and was very popular with his teammates. From a journalist’s point of view, he’s a dream – always polite and ready to talk. He makes good points and is very down to earth.”

You can read all the articles in this series in our loanees area.

 

The world of the sneaker is a unique one. The colours, the styles, the way they're worn, sneakers are, for many, a way of life. Now, unbeknown to many, there is a global Sneaker Movement taking hold.

The online world is a key zone for people to express their thoughts and feelings on anything, and in recent weeks, its provided a platform for sneakerheads from all over to showcase their love for sneakers. Whether its sneaker art in Paris, a sneaker streaker running through a piazza in Milan, or Adam Smith in London showing his love in the work place, videos have been cropping up everywhere.

To celebrate this, the world leader in sneakers, Footlocker, have set up a playground for sneaker addicts, called It's a Sneaker Thing. Here you can find articles, blogs, features, general chat, videos and photos, just like these from Nico: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61966921@N03/. This is the ultimate haven for all you'll ever want and need in the wonderful world of sneakers. You can get involved at: www.itsasneakerthing.eu.

Will you be following the movement? I know I will. Adam has already set the bar high. Check out his sneaker love here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsNAmjuIU3o&feature=player_embedded.

For all you ultimate sneakerheads, make sure you join the Footlocker Europe Facebook group, for more on the movement, sneaker news, views and all the updates you'll ever need.

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