Exclusive: Arsenal and Man United scouted two players on deadline day, one of them is 'unbelievably talented' and is ready to join Arsenal

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Arsenal and Manchester United sent scouts to watch Sunderland’s 3-2 win against Middlesbrough on deadline day.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United made no signings on the final day of the winter transfer window.

Arsenal were looking at potential signings but ultimately, they chose not to freshen up their squad.

TBR Football even revealed that Manchester United and Arsenal enquired about Dusan Vlahovic but eventually, the Juventus striker ended up staying in Turin.

Arsenal and Man United scouted Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg on deadline day

Sources have now told Graeme Bailey — TBR Football’s chief correspondent that Arsenal and Manchester United’s primary purpose of visiting the Riverside Stadium was to scout Sunderland duo Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

Monday 3rd February

Sunderland

Arsenal scouted Rigg in November and have kept a close eye on him and Bellingham regularly this season — as have Ruben Amorim’s side.

Manchester United think Rigg could reach Bellingham’s level as they have been closely watching the 17-year-old as well — which is the biggest possible compliment for any young English midfielder. Rigg has been compared to Roy Keane as he continues to prove why he is one of his country’s finest wonderkids.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace were ready to bid for Bellingham for £20 million. Real Madrid were eyeing Bellingham’s younger brother as a potential signing for this year alongside Borussia Dortmund as well.

Evidently, both players have caught the attention of several top clubs around the continent.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace amongst many clubs who scouted Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg

TBR Football can also confirm that Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Nottingham Forest scouts were also present at the game.

But the four Premier League clubs’ mission was to watch Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Verg in action — who ended up on the losing side for Middlesbrough. Notably, Aston Villa and Forest have scouted Hackney before as well.

The Championship is renowned for being an incredible conveyor belt of young talent and several sides in the English top-flight seem to already be doing their groundwork on signing a few unearthed gems.