Arsenal Transfer News: Erik Tobias Sandberg Deal Amid Manchester United Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly beaten Manchester United to the signature of Norwegian starlet Erik Tobias Sandberg after a raft of the Premier League clubs were said to have shown an interest in the defender. 

According to Jamie Sanderson and Jim Sheridan of the Sun, it's the Gunners who have landed the Norway under-16 captain, who is seen as one of Scandinavia's brightest gems.

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Gunners scouts were said to have started tracking Sandberg after he led Norway under-16s against their England counterparts in a development tournament in February.

The report added Sandberg will sign a scholarship deal with Arsenal, which will then turn into a professional contract when he turns 17 in February 2017.

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Sandberg will join the Gunners from Norwegian outfit Lillestrom, where he has been making strides as part of the under-18s team, the age group he'll be expected to join up with at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger may soon have need of young, upcoming talent in defence, as senior central defenders Per Mertesacker, 31, and Laurent Koscielny, 30, creep further toward their twilight years.

Arsenal are also close to sealing the signature of Bolton Wanderers' Rob Holding, per Sky Sports. Bleacher Report's James McNicholas outlined the club's need for reinforcements in defence:

It's bound to be some years before Sandberg can offer any real aid to the first team, but with eight caps for Norway under-16s already, the wonderkid has succeeded in establishing some renown.

What's more, Arsenal may be able to call upon Sandberg as a homegrown player in future due to the fact he'll be qualified as such if he remains at the club for three years before his 21st birthday.

This is evidently one of the biggest benefits to Wenger's preference of signing players while still young, with Sandberg able to offer a major advantage at the age of 19—if he's still at the club.

According to Sanderson and Sheridan, Sandberg will move to north London in time for the new season after a deal was agreed with Lillestrom, leaving the Red Devils disappointed in their pursuit of the Norwegian.