Arsenal eye Everton’s Llanfair star

A Llanfair Caereinion teenager could be set for a move to Arsenal after his current club Everton stalled on offering him a professional deal.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Ryan Astley could be free to move when he turns 17 next month, with Arsenal at the head of the queue.

Astley, who is still on a scholarship at Everton, has been labelled as one of Everton’s brightest prospects by Toffees Under-23s coach David Unsworth.

After handing Astley his debut for the reserve team earlier this year, Unsworth heaped praise on the youngster.

He said: “I can’t remember an Under-16 coming in and starting a game at his level since I’ve been here, but I thought he was the best player on the pitch. It was a stunning performance.”

Welshman Astley is a centre-back in the academy and his favourite player is Phil Jagielka.