Arsenal have swooped for Bolivian wonder boy Samuel Galindo.

The Mirror says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has signed Galindo - under the noses of David Moyes's Everton.

Wenger snatched the attacking midfielder, who is his country's under-21 skipper at just 17, after Moyes had him with his club for training but failed to tie up the deal.

Galindo headed for London instead, spent one day with the Gunners and worked out with their first team. Wenger promptly agreed to sign him and his family took him out for a VIP meal to celebrate.

It is an amazing coup by Wenger who has huge South American contacts but was second in the race for Galindo when he flew in to go to Merseyside first.

Arsenal will try to get a work permit for the youngster and plead a special case because of his talent. He currently plays for Real America in his homeland and has even been with the full national squad.