Arsenal have secured a deal to sign Scottish prospect Callan Hamill from St Johnstone, according to reports.
The 15-year-old, regarded as one of Scotland’s brightest young talents, reportedly turned down offers from Celtic and Rangers in favor of joining the Gunners.
Having previously trained with Arsenal’s youth teams, Hamill will officially make the move on July 1, after his 16th birthday.
As reported by The Athletic, Arsenal and St Johnstone have agreed on a six-figure transfer fee, with additional clauses that could increase the final amount based on performance-based triggers.
Hamill, who can play both in defense and midfield, is a promising addition to Arsenal’s academy, particularly after the club lost two emerging talents to Manchester United.
Last October, United secured striker Chido Obi, who had broken multiple scoring records in Arsenal’s youth system but was reportedly uncertain about his pathway to Mikel Arteta’s first team. Obi, now 17, has already made his senior debut for the Red Devils.
United also signed 18-year-old center-back Ayden Heaven during the January transfer window. Though his chances of breaking into Arsenal’s first team were slim, he has already been named on United’s bench twice and could soon feature due to injuries in the squad.
Despite these departures, Arsenal’s academy remains strong, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri making significant strides this season.
Lewis-Skelly has logged 631 Premier League minutes in the 2024/25 season and is reportedly on the radar of England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of his debut matches in charge.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Nwaneri has impressed Arteta, contributing to a goal every 94 minutes in the league and delivering standout performances in the Carabao Cup before Arsenal’s exit.
With these young talents paving the way, Hamill can take confidence in Arsenal’s commitment to developing prospects, as he aims to carve out his own future in North London.
Raheem Sterling or Mikel Merino? Paul Merson makes prediction for Arsenal’s clash with West Ham
Paul Merson expects Mikel Arteta to keep faith in Raheem Sterling for Arsenal’s crucial clash against West Ham, despite the forward’s underwhelming display against Leicester.
With Kai Havertz ruled out for the season due to injury, Arteta was forced to adjust his attack at the King Power Stadium. While some speculated that Merino could be deployed as a false nine, the Arsenal boss instead opted for a front three of Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Sterling.
However, Sterling struggled to make an impact and was eventually substituted in the second half. His replacement, Merino, made an immediate difference—breaking the deadlock with a well-placed header from a pinpoint Nwaneri cross before sealing Arsenal’s victory with a composed finish in stoppage time.
Merino’s match-winning performance has sparked calls for him to start in the upcoming London derby, but Merson believes Arteta will resist the temptation to alter his frontline.
Given the importance of the match, the Arsenal manager is likely to back Sterling once again, trusting in his experience and ability to deliver in high-stakes fixtures.
‘Arsenal have an advantage this week since they are playing before Liverpool. If they beat West Ham, they close the gap at the top to just five points,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said in his Sportskeeda column.
‘If Liverpool lose to City on Sunday, the title race is wide open! This will still be a hard game for Arsenal, though.
‘West Ham were decent against Chelsea, I liked how they played even though they lost.’
Merson added: ‘Arsenal were poor in the first 70 minutes against Leicester. The football wasn’t free-flowing at all. I was gutted for Raheem Sterling because for some reason he just can’t seem to get going at Arsenal.
‘Despite his goal in the last game, I think Merino will be left on the bench here. I expect Mikel Arteta to use the same front three he used against Leicester.
‘If it doesn’t work out he can always bring Merino on and hope for the same result.’
‘West Ham will come out and frustrate Arsenal in this game, plus the Hammers have the firepower in the form of players who can pick you off,’ he continued.
‘They are also a better team in games where they are forced to rely on counter-attack.
‘Arsenal have a tricky run of fixtures after this game. This is a must-win clash and they must look at one game at a time rather than getting too ahead of themselves. This title is still well out of their hands, though.’
Asked whether the Chelsea loanee may need more game-time to build up his confidence, Arteta responded: ‘Yeah… and, as well, I think from everybody, to step up their game.
‘In the first half, especially in the first 20 to 25 minutes, we weren’t at our standards and it’s very difficult for our front players.’
