Plymouth Argyle poised to sign England under-19 left-back Lino ...

Plymouth Argyle are set to complete the loan signing of England under-19 international left-back Lino Sousa before the end of the transfer window, Plymouth Live understands.

As reported by Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa are expected to announce that Sousa is joining them on a permanent transfer from Arsenal and then send the teenage defender to Argyle.

Sousa, 19, was born in Portugal but moved to the west Midlands with his family at a young age and was in West Bromwich Albion's academy before switching to Arsenal in January 2022.

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He started three EFL Trophy games for Arsenal under-21s last season, away to Cambridge United, Northampton Town and Stevenage, and another couple this term.

Sousa scored the opening goal in a 2-2 draw with Swindon Town in August and also played against Peterborough United in December. More recently, Sousa was an unused substitute when Arsenal lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the FA Cup third round at the Emirates Stadium on January 7.

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano also posted on X this afternoon that Villa had agreed a deal for Sousa with Arsenal, amid other interest from Turkish side Galatasaray, Italian club Juventus and Glasgow Rangers, and that talks had already taken place with Argyle over a loan to them.

If, as expected, Sousa joins Argyle he will become the third player loaned to them by Villa this season, following Finn Azaz and Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Azaz was on a second successive season-long loan to the Pilgrims when he was recalled by Villa at the start of January and transferred to Middlesbrough for £2.5 million after some superb performances in the Championship this term.

Kesler-Hayden joined Argyle from Villa last summer and had played regularly before he was also recalled early this month. He was an unused substitute when Unai Emery's side lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League last night.

Argyle already have three loan signings in their squad, Tottenham Hotspur pair Ashley Phillips and Alfie Devine, as well as Leeds United midfielder Darko Gyabi.

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