The youth teak shakeup at Arsenal continues after the disappointments from last season, with talented midfielder Ismael Bennacer signing a five-year contract after snubbing Manchester City for a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal are reportedly paying Arles Avignon a compensation of around £150,000 for the 18-year-old, according to the Metro, and Jeorge Bird, who writes a blog on Arsenal youth teams, confirmed the signing via a picture on Twitter of the midfielder signing his contract.
Bennacer was also reportedly wanted by Manchester City, but the Frenchman has chosen Arsenal to further his career.
An official confirmation from both teams are awaited, but it does seem like Bennacer will be an Arsenal player next season, either with the U-18s or with the U-21s.
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old midfielder Jon Toral will play another season outside Arsenal, after the club confirmed a loan move to Championship club Birmingham City.
Toral impressed on loan at Brentford last season, making 37 appearances and scoring six goals, but with midfield opportunities hard to come by in the first team, considering Wenger's myriad of options, the former Barcelona youngster has been sent on loan once more.
"Young midfielder Jon Toral has joined Birmingham City on loan for the 2015/16 campaign," the club said in a statement on their website.
"Everyone would like to wish Jon well for his season with the Blues."
Toral was signed by Arsenal along with Hector Bellerin as part of the Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona deal, but unlike the right-back, Toral will have to wait a while longer before being given an opportunity to make his mark in the Arsenal senior team.
