Written for Sports Mole and published there on 29/7/15
Arsenal have won the race to sign 16-year old striker Donyell Malen from Ajax on a scholarship deal.
The highly-rated Dutchman was reportedly being chased by clubs including Barcelona and Manchester United but it is Arsene Wenger‘s side who have secured his signature.
Former Netherlands midfielder Wim Jonk, now the head of youth development at the Amsterdam club, admitted that the prospect’s decision to leave so early in his career was a blow.
“Donyell is a great talent, and it is extremely unfortunate that he is leaving Ajax,” he told Ajax’s official website.
“We have made him an excellent offer and presented a clear development plan. If the player still makes another choice, it is disappointing.”
Malen confirmed the move by posting an image of himself signing a contract with Arsenal on his Instagram account before deleting the post and his account.
T.D. Nightingale 