Arsenal transfer target Callum Slattery has signed a new deal with Southampton to end interest in the player.
The England under-16 captain has put pen to paper on a long-term contract - his first professional deal - and is a real signal of intent for everyone at the club.
Arsenal keep coming back to the Saints
Arsenal currently have three Southampton academy graduates in their ranks: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian, Theo Walcott and Calum Chambers; all of whom were signed under the age of 20.
All three haven't been Arsenal regulars since joining but they’ve all got time on their side to push on and challenge the players ahead of them in the team.
Players at a young age are generally better off staying at their club as, generally speaking, chances will be limited if at a top-four club.
Slattery developing but currently out
The youngster, who signed his contract on his 17th birthday, has been a regular this season for the club's under-18s and has also appeared for the under-21s on a couple of occasions earlier in the season.
His best moment in the red and white so far came two years ago when, aged 15, he scored a 35-yard screamer for the under-18s in the FA Youth Cup win against West Ham United.
He has been putting in some fantastic performances this campaign, but when playing for the under-21s earlier in the year he picked up a horrific injury and is expected to be out for a number of months. He may even miss the start of next season.
Plenty of potential
The 17-year-old has shown so much promise after stepping up to the under-18s and has alerted first team boss Ronald Koeman to his progress after a number of superb showings.
Slattery is one the club will be keeping tabs on when he returns from injury, as he has been billed as one of the players with the most potential in the youth academy.
Also, he has been the England captain for a couple of years now and a real leader of the side; that has, without doubt, helped him in his development.