Hibs are closing a deal for Arsenal defender Harry Clarke.

The Scottish Sun says the Hibees have reached a deal with Arsenal to loan the 20-year-old through to May.

And he will join the Easter Road side this week instead of reporting back at Ross County for the second-half of his season-long loan.

Clarke has been outstanding for the Staggies since arriving last summer and that has caught Hibs' eye.

New boss Shaun Maloney has been made aware of the youngster since joining the club and has been impressed enough to sanction a deal.

Clarke has been one of the Highlanders' best players, starring seventeen times in the Premiership.

Losing Clarke in this window will be a bitter blow to Dingwall boss Malky Mackay in his bid to keep County up, especially as they expected to have him through to the summer.

But Hibs have moved swiftly to get a rival deal brokered and he'll be part of their side from now on.