---
title: "Arsenal beat Manchester United to signing of wonderkid"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/08/02/arsenal-beat-manchester-united-to-signing-of-wonderkid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Todva"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-08-02T22:59:55Z"
modified: "2015-08-02T22:59:55Z"
---

# Arsenal beat Manchester United to signing of wonderkid

Arsenal have completed the signing of 15-year-old goalkeeper Joao Virginia from Benfica, [The Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/595565/Arsenal-Man-United-Joao-Virginia-Benfica-Transfer-News-Gossip) reports. Reports from Portugal also say that Manchester United were interested in the promising goalkeeper after he had a trial at Old Trafford earlier in in the season. The youngster who is already in Portugal’s national set-up has put pen to paper on a 4-year deal.

[![IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/482749476-arsenals-french-manager-arsene-wenger-looks-gettyimages.jpg)](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/482749476-arsenals-french-manager-arsene-wenger-looks-gettyimages.jpg)

Louis Van Gaal is in the market for a keeper with reports of David De Gea leaving the club for Real Madrid, as he looks to build a promising youth squad built for becoming a part of the first team in years to come.

Arsenal have already seen one goalkeeper leave this summer with Wojciech Szczesny [joining Roma](https://readarsenal.com/2015/07/29/wojciech-szczesny-joins-roma-on-loan/) on loan for the season, but Virginia will be seen as a long term option, while also getting one up on Manchester United.