Arsenal line up Championship star, 16, as Mikel Arteta’s striker transfer hunt takes shock turn

ARSENAL are ready to raid Blackburn for England youth striker Harvey Higgins.

The Gunners have their sights on the 16-year-old hotshot — and hope to take him in the next few weeks.

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Arsenal are ready to raid Blackburn for England youth striker Harvey Higgins[/caption]

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Striker Higgins has been tipped to be a future star[/caption]

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Mikel Arteta is looking for a new striker this summer[/caption]

Rovers will only get compensation for their latest discovery, although that could come in at £1.5million.

Higgins is already playing for the Under-18s but his progress at England youth level has alerted Arsenal.

There are hopes that he will follow in the footsteps of Adam Wharton and David Raya in starting their journeys to stardom at Ewood Park.

Speak to people connected to the kid and there are early comparisons in the style of play to Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s irrepressible centre forward who is still going strong at 38.

Higgins loves to chase a ball from over his shoulder and run on before unleashing his strength and finishing ability.

The schoolboy has already trained with the Under-21s yet is still in his GCSE year at school.

Several top clubs are also interested in the young striker, making competition for his signature intense.

And his ability has not gone unnoticed with sponsors, earning him a contract with Puma.

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Top sides in the Serie A are also tracking his progress — and may make a move.

Arsenal also made an enquiry for Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon in the January window and they continue to monitor his progress.

Rovers are also fighting to keep young defender Silver Eze with big clubs chasing the Italian youth cap.

Blackburn only signed Eze, 16, from Accrington Stanley for £120,000 in November but could lose him before he starts a game for them.