George Lewis is in London and likely to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer after the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday, according to Goal.
Will this Scandinavian speedster be the new Gabriel Martinelli or the second coming of Joel Campbell?
It is fair to say Arsenal certainly have a mixed track record when it comes to snapping up little known youngsters.
And Lewis, a free-agent winger who left third-tier Norwegian outfit Fram Larvik in the spring, has found himself under the microscope as he prepares to sign on the dotted line at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Goal reports that Lewis, who impressed during a recent trial, is in the capital and should complete his move to Arsenal after the FA Cup decider in two days’ time.
The 20-year-old is far from the finished product but his searing pace on the wings appears to have earned him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swap the Norwegian third-tier for the three-time Premier League champions.
It is understood that Lewis will play for Steve Bould’s U23 side initially.
With Mikel Arteta now at the helm, the Rwanda-born starlet will certainly get his chance at senior level if he impresses behind the scenes, with Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock having forced their way into the first-team squad this season.
Yet it is fair to say Lewis still has a lot to learn.
“I’m delighted for George, but I’m also a little surprised. He’s nearly 20 and never been near the national teams and it’s not like he’s gone off the radar here during his development,” former coach Jonathan Hill told Goal.
“He’s got some really outstanding qualities, but he’s also raw. If this happens, it’s brilliant because he does have some talent.
“I’m a little shocked but can understand why George would impress coaches at Arsenal’s level.”
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