THE MATCH PULLOUT

Arsenal are weighing up a £5million double swoop for Sunderland’s Swedish starlets Joel Asoro and Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka.

The pair are regarded as two of Sunderland’s most promising players, and their progress has not gone unnoticed.

Eighteen-year-old forward Asoro, who joined from Brommapojkarna in 2015, made his first-team bow last season – and became Sunderland youngest ever Premier League player and indeed the youngest Swede ever to appear in the English top-flight.

The Swedish Under-21 man has been tipped to be a firstteam member in the coming Championship season, but he may not be seen in the red and white stripes again with a host of Premier League clubs ready to pounce.

Southampton, Everton and Liverpool are all looking at Asoro – but it is Arsenal who are in pole position, and they also want his fellow countryman Mbunga Kimpioka, who has been in the Under-18 side.

Winger Mbunga Kimpioka, who only turned 17 earlier this year, arrived from Swedish side Sirius last summer, and has also been tipped to make it into the Black Cats’ first team in the next 12 months – but he could be sold before making an appearance.

Arsenal are ready to offer £5million for the pair, with Sunderland looking set to sell.

Asoro was asked about his future while on international duty last week.

He said: “It’s not something you can decide now.

“We will have to see who the new manager is and whether or not they like me. If not, I will have to look for something. I have to develop and can’t just play U23 football all the time.”