Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Chase Arsenal Prodigy, Top Rumours

Manchester United are rumoured to want Arsenal wonderkid Chris Willock, as the dynamic youngster sits on the cusp of the Gunners' first-team squad.

Wally Downes Jr. of the Sun reported Jose Mourinho could steal the teenager away from Arsene Wenger in a bid to reunite him with his brother who plays for the Red Devils. The 18-year-old has been in north London since the age of 5, and he has played in the League Cup for the first team.

The player's older brother, Matthew Willock, also began his youth career at Arsenal but was released by the Gunners—ending up at United after a spell at Reading.

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Downes Jr. explained the current situation with the winger:

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Chris Willock signed his first professional contract at the Emirates in February, but he has expert experience of how cruel life can be at the Arsenal academy, which could weaken his loyalty.

Older brother Matthew came through the system but was released and had to rebuild his career at Reading, before getting a move to Premier league rivals Manchester United.

Chris, the middle sibling, will have no doubt looked up to his big bro and seen close-up how harsh football can be, even at a club that feels so entwined in the family fabric.

United have been credited with an interest in taking Chris north to reunite with his brother but the Gunners would be crazy to let him go.

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Here is the player starring for Arsenal's youth sides:

The young Gunner will have noticed United's playing investment in Marcus Rashford, and he might consider his chances of first-team action greater at Old Trafford.

Willock is behind a talented collection of attackers at Arsenal, and he will get very little playing time pitted against a host of experienced midfielders.

If the player remains at Arsenal, Downes Jr. gave his verdict on how Wenger will develop him. The journalist wrote:

"The teenager has yonks to improve and will no doubt be sent out on loan soon to a side that will use him properly like plenty of Gunners before him who were sent out to toughen up away from the Emirates luxury and Colney cocoon."

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In other news, burgeoning United youngster Angel Gomes will ignore Barcelona's interest in him after the Blaugrana were linked with a move for the 16-year-old starlet.

The player's father told Portuguese newspaper A Bola his son will remain at the Theatre of Dreams and is intent on breaking into the first-team picture (h/t Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News). The attacker recently became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for United's academy in 15 years, and currently is captain of England's under-17 team.

"The important thing is that Angel continues to have all this pleasure in playing football," Gil Gomes said. "I don't deny that many clubs ask me about him, but that's what he always says...the next dream is to play for Manchester United's first team, a club where he has been growing."

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Gomes continues the tradition of youth development at United, and he has all the necessary tools to become one of Europe's best youngsters in the next two years.

Mourinho is not known for his youth development skills, but he has shown great faith in Rashford since taking the reins in the summer.

Willock would be an outstanding capture for the Red Devils, and he would dovetail with Rashford and Gomes in United's first-team for many years to come.

However, Wenger will not let one of his prized assets depart without a fight, but as United once lost Paul Pogba, prodigious youngsters can leave a club if they feel their destiny is elsewhere.