Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he is closing in on the signature of talented 15-year-old Gillingham forward Luke Freeman.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tonight revealed he was closing in on the signature of talented 15-year-old Gillingham forward Luke Freeman - and maintained the next generation of Gunners stars could all be home-grown Englishmen.

The Coca-Cola League One side club are resigned to losing their talented prospect, who became the youngest player to feature in the FA Cup when he came on against Barnet in the first round earlier this season and was also attracting interest from Newcastle and West Ham.

With a deal close to being agreed, which will also include a transfer fee, Freeman looks set to follow the likes of England Under-21 international Theo Walcott to the Emirates Stadium.

Despite the current first team being packed with players from around the globe

Wenger - often criticised for not giving enough British talent a chance to shine - firmly believes in the next five to 10 years that could all change.

"We will be pushing it through - I want to buy English," said the Arsenal boss, ahead of tomorrow's home Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham.

"We are quite well on the case and we are very positive that we will find an agreement with the club without going to compensation. We will pay them a transfer [fee]."

Wenger paid a then-record £2million for 15-year-old Jermaine Pennant from Notts County in 1999, only to see the player fail to make the grade amid off-field problems.

However, the Arsenal boss still believes in getting the players "as young as possible".

He continued: "If you are not on the case somebody else is on it.

"It is because it is a competitive world, you do not really choose the age you buy the players.

"When a good player comes out you know you are not on your own, so even if ideally you would wait one or two more years, you cannot any more."

The Arsenal boss feels Freeman - who was released by Charlton when he was 11 - has a bright future.

"I met the boy, I like him, his personality, he looks alert," said Wenger.

"He is a striker and at 15 years of age to play for the first team sometimes is something special."

The likes of England Youth international Henri Lansbury and Kieran Gibbs, 18, have both made senior appearances this season, while 17-year-old Gavin Hoyte, younger brother of highly-rated defender Justin, is also on the fringes of the squad.

Wenger believes his academy has more "top class" talent down through the age groups.

The Arsenal boss said: "We have two players at under 14 and I have watched them play. Technically they have nothing to learn."

Wenger believes the group from "14 to 20" is the best he has known since arriving at the club just over a decade ago.

"Our target is to produce and I believe we are on the right road with the way we want to work throughout the club and that we will produce good players," he said.

"I have been accused of only buying foreign players and I would like to contribute to the quality of English football."

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