Why Arsenal has to act soon to sign Millwall midfielder Abdul Abdulmalik
The Gunners are one of several teams connected with Millwall's teenage attacker Abdul Abdulmalik, with Scottish champions Rangers and Championship side Swansea City also being mentioned.
JoriPress
Arsenal are one of several clubs monitoring the situation of Millwall forward Abdul Abdulmalik.
Abdulmalik impressed during the 2020/21 campaign for the Lions, establishing himself as a regular for the club's Under-23s while also scoring four times in six matches to help the Under-18s reach the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
His form was rewarded with a call-up to the England Under-17s squad in January, although he wasn't handed his international debut.
The 18-year-old's scholarship with Milwall comes to an end this month and while the Championship club have offered Abdulmalik a professional contract, he is keen to explore his options elsewhere.
Arsenal are believed to have watched the striker, who has earned comparisons to former England international and Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe, throughout the campaign. Scottish champions Rangers have also shown interest.
Swansea City are understood to be leading the race for Abdulmalik and have gone as far as submitting an offer for the youngster.
However, Milwall have turned that approach down and could potentially be awarded sizeable compensation if Abdulmalik signs a professional contract elsewhere without a deal being agreed with the Lions.
Abdulmalik, who spent time earlier in his career at Fulham, joined Milwall in 2018 having impressed during a three-month trial.
He was part of the Under-18s side which won the Professional Development League title and reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals in the 2019/20 season, eventually losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his impressive displays in the club's academy, Abdulmalik wasn't handed an opportunity in the senior squad by Gary Rowett last term.
But with several clubs interested in signing the talented youngster, it may not be long before he gets an opportunity at first-team level.
