Arsenal offer trial to St. Mirren youth international

Arsenal are planning to take St. Mirren teenager Marcello de Barros on trial ahead of a potential permanent move, according to a report.

Pete O’Rourke reports for Football Insider that St. Mirren youngster Marcello de Barros has impressed Arsenal scouts, and the Gunners have offered him the chance to play for them on trial.

The Scotland u15 international plays as a left-sided centre-back, and he’s caught the eye during youth international friendlies in Serbia.

De Barros is reportedly on the radar for a number of top Premier League clubs, but it seems Arsenal have made the first move.

The Scotland u15s are facing Greece, Serbia, and Slovakia in Stara Pazova, and de Barros is one of a couple of St. Mirren youth players involved, along with Alfie Thompson.

De Barros was involved as Scotland defeated Slovakia 4-2 in the second game of the break, with the third game against Serbia still to come on Friday.

Whether the player then takes up Arsenal’s offer of a trial remains to be seen, but he wouldn’t be the first in recent times.

Callan Hamill of St. Johnstone had a trial with Arsenal over the summer, and the 15-year-old is set to join the Gunners permanently after he turns 16 next year.

Arsenal will pay around £110,000 in compensation to complete the transfer, according to reports.

The Gunners are clearly putting a particular focus on young players playing in Scotland at the moment, and perhaps de Barros could be the next to move down south.