Reading youth boss Lee Herron is being targeted by Arsenal.

The Sun says the Gunners confirmed earlier this year that German centre-back Per Mertesacker will become their new academy boss at the end of this season when he retires from playing.

However, they are keen to bring in some new recruits to help the 33-year-old.

And they have targeted Reading's academy manager Lee Herron as the man to assist the 2014 World Cup winner.

Emirates chiefs have been impressed with the work done by Herron at the Madejski over the past 15 months since he replaced Eamonn Dolan.