Arsenal boss dangles £30m at 19-year-old defender

Arsenal has joined the race to sign Norwich defender Max Aarons but Spurs remain favourites to land the teenager.

Sportsmail understands that a fee in the region of £30million would be enough to get a deal done this month, with Aarons possibly returning on loan to Carrow Road for the rest of the season.

Everton and West Ham have also expressed their interest in the 19-year-old and Arsenal made an inquiry this week.

The Gunners are concerned that right-back Hector Bellerin is not the same player after returning from a serious knee injury and Aarons has been identified as having the pace and stamina required to feature for new boss Mikel Arteta.

It is known, though, that Spurs are very keen on Aarons, who was the EFL Young Player of the Year last season.

However, Aarons does not want to return to the Championship and, with Norwich currently bottom of the Premier League and seven points from safety, it could be that the Canaries cash in before the end of the month.

There have been reports of a £45m price tag but sources have told Sportsmail that a £30m deal could be struck for the England Under-21 star.
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