Arsenal’s Lino Sousa Set to Join Aston Villa on Loan to Plymouth Argyle

England Under-19 left-back Lino Sousa is undergoing a medical at Aston Villa after the Premier League club agreed to a deal with Arsenal for his transfer. Sousa, who joined Arsenal in January 2022 from West Bromwich Albion‘s academy, has been a regular feature for the Gunners’ under-21 side but is yet to make his first-team debut. Now, as his Arsenal contract nears expiration, the 19-year-old is set to continue his development at Aston Villa.

Born in Portugal, Sousa moved to the west Midlands at a young age and began his career in West Bromwich Albion’s academy before joining Arsenal. Last season, he started three EFL Trophy games for Arsenal’s under-21s, and this season he scored the opening goal in a game against Swindon Town and featured against Peterborough United. Most recently, he was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Liverpool.

Aston Villa successfully negotiated a permanent deal for Sousa with Arsenal, fending off additional interest from Galatasaray, Juventus, and Glasgow Rangers. As part of the agreement, Villa is expected to loan Sousa to Plymouth Argyle. The League One side has already had loan spells with Villa’s Finn Azaz and Kaine Kesler-Hayden this season. Azaz was recalled from his loan and transferred to Middlesbrough after impressing in the Championship. Sousa will join Argyle alongside Tottenham Hotspur‘s Ashley Phillips, Alfie Devine, and Leeds United’s Darko Gyabi.

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