Medical completed: Aston Villa new arrival Lino Sousa agrees to join Plymouth Argyle – sources
Sousa #Sousa
Aston Villa are set to announce the signing of Arsenal left-back Lino Sousa before loaning him out to Championship side Plymouth Argyle, sources have told Football Insider.
The 19-year-old has agreed to join Villa from the Gunners permanently and has undergone a medical with the Midlands giants.
But Sousa will not form part of the first-team squad for Unai Emery in the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign and will instead get his first taste of senior football at Plymouth.
The Portugal-born England Under-19 international left-back started his career at West Brom before leaving to join Arsenal’s youth setup two years ago.
He failed to make a senior appearance for the Gunners during his time at the club but did make the bench for their FA Cup third-round loss against Liverpool earlier this month (7 January).
Sousa has made 14 appearances for Arsenal’s age-group sides in the UEFA Youth League, Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy this term – scoring three goals.
Rangers, Galatasaray and Juventus were all linked with a move for the youngster but it is Aston Villa who have moved to sign him permanently.
Aston Villa have also completed the signing of 18-year-old right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic this month, with the teenager heading back to Red Star Belgrade on loan until June to continue his development.
Sousa will need to displace experienced pair Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno if he is to be successful at Villa Park under Emery.
Plymouth sit 15th in the Championship table and have built a healthy eight-point buffer to the relegation zone.
Sousa could make his debut for the Pilgrims away at Swansea City on Saturday (3 February).
In other news, Aston Villa pull plug on late signing after extensive talks.
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