Who is Vincent Joseph, the young striker Arsenal have just agreed to sign from Liverpool?
Arsenal have agreed terms with Vincent Joseph to sign him following his departure from Liverpool.
The Gunners have made it a priority to improve their academy recruitment, and the addition of Maurizio Micheli was seen as a big step in the right direction.
Arsenal have struck deals with many exciting young talents over the last year, but Joseph is viewed by many in the academy circles as a massive acquisition.
Here’s what you need to know about him.
Who is Arsenal-bound Vincent Joseph?
Joseph is a 16-year-old attacker who has been at Liverpool since the pre-academy days.
Hailing from Manchester, the youngster grew up as an attacking midfielder who could also play out wide and up front.
However, over the last 18 months, Joseph has primarily played as a number nine, and many in the game believe that will be his position going forward.
Liverpool academy expert Lewis Bower has described Joseph’s departure as a ‘loss’ for Liverpool because of his talent and potential.
“Arsenal gain an exciting project in Vincent Joseph. Raw, which almost makes him a more exciting prospect, as there’s a lot to work with,” Bower wrote on X.
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“Ruthless finisher, good striker of the ball, can play with his back to goal and ahead of the ball, aided by upper body strength. A loss for Liverpool.”
Joseph has primarily been a U16 player for Liverpool, but he got a couple of opportunities in the U18 Premier League late last season.
The young forward scored three goals in two games, including a stunner from outside the box in the dying moments to help his side beat Nottingham Forest.
At international level, Joseph has played nine games for the England U16s, scored eight goals and provided an assist.
Arsenal seem to have landed a huge prospect in Joseph. It will be interesting to see how he develops in the Gunners’ academy in the coming years.
Arsenal and Liverpool head to a tribunal to decide the fee for Vincent Joseph
Arsenal and Liverpool were locked in talks to agree a compensation fee for Joseph, but the two sides have failed to reach an agreement.
So, the matter will be decided in a tribunal, where the Gunners will be ordered to pay the Reds a certain figure based on multiple factors like ‘age, playing record, length of time Joseph was at Liverpool, the status of both clubs, and, among other considerations, the terms offered by both teams’, according to The Athletic.
The last time a teenager left Liverpool for another Premier League side, and the matter had to be decided in a tribunal, was Isaac Moran, when he joined Newcastle.
The Toon were ordered to pay a seven-figure sum, potentially reaching £5 million.