ARSENAL and Manchester City are in a transfer tussle for Aston Villa’s 17-year-old sensation Jaden Philogene-Bidace, according to reports.
The Villans winger has impressed for the club’s Under-18s side this season, netting six goals in ten games, before being promoted to the U23s.
He has also had stints training with Dean Smith’s first team, proving the manager thinks highly of him.
However, his contract expires at the end of this season.
Aston Villa are trying to convince him to sign an extension but as of yet, Philogene-Bidance is yet to put pen to paper.
That has opened the door for interest from other clubs who may look to land the teenager in the summer.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal have joined the race for the winger, who can play on either flank.
Mikel Arteta has already shown in his short time in charge at the Emirates that he is willing to give youth a chance.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah all featured in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
But at Arteta’s former club Manchester City, boss Pep Guardiola continues to limit the game time of his exciting young talents, including Phil Foden.
The report adds that there is interest in Philogene-Bidance from abroad too.
Bayern Munich are understood to be looking at making him the latest English youngster to make the switch to Germany.
Ajax, meanwhile, remain keen and both sides have sent scouts to watch him in action.
Philogene-Bidance is from London and had spells with a number of EFL clubs but looked as though his football career would not come to fruition – until he joined the Pro:Direct academy.
Ahmed Abdulla looked after the youngster during his time in the set-up.
The coach told the Birmingham Mail: “He’s a right footer but he plays off the left. He can come inside or go on the outside. The model winger.
“He hugs the touchline and can beat his man. (He’s) Very confident and very light on his feet and skips past tackles, not one of them that gets hit and goes down. He bounces off tackles.
“He’s very strong and outstanding in one-v-ones.”
Abdullah added: “He’s a really big character. Some people are shy, he won’t be like that, he’ll go in there thinking he’s better than everyone else – not in a negative way, he’s just extremely confident.
“He won’t be shy to ask for the ball. He hunts the ball and makes things happen.”
