Arsenal are poised to sign highly rated Barcelona teenager Joel Lopez, according to reports.

The 16-year-old left-back has informed Barca he will not be signing a professional contract with them and has instead opted to move to London – echoing the path taken by Cesc Fabregas in 2003.

The 15-year-old Cadete A left-back has been at the Catalan giants since the age of seven and is described by reports in Spain as a ‘mature, attacking full-back who can be used as an offensive weapon’.

Following Lopez’s rejection of a contract with the Spanish giants, Arsenal will now have to pay a compensation fee for the player.

Arsenal’s head of recruitment Raul Sanllehi is believed to have played a key role in the deal.

Sanllehi moved to the Emirates from Barca at the beginning of the year, and appears to have been keeping an eye on Catalonia in order to bring talent to the Premier League.

Arsenal have also agreed terms with Paris Saint-Germain’s 17-year-old midfielder Yacine Adli.