Arsenal are in pole position to clinch the signature of Cheltenham starlet Jamie Edge. The 15-year-old midfielder has already spent time at Arsenal's training ground and played in a youth team clash against Portsmouth.

Edge is due to travel with Arsenal's youth squad to Italy for an end-of-season tournament, including the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

"Knowing Jamie's potential, we offered him a two-year scholarship to start in 2010 and he accepted it," said Town's centre of excellence manager Ken Oram.

"Clubs have got wind of him and he is likely to be in advance of players the same age at these Premier League clubs.

"Both Manchester United and Arsenal did their homework on him and then looked after him when he went for trials.

"Physically he is big for his age but is also quite advanced in his development and several clubs have already shown a firm interest in him.

"It's been a very positive season all round at youth level because several players have got into the first team squad and there are a couple of other schoolboy players that have attracted interest from other clubs as well."