Arsenal 'close in on Rob Holding signing'

Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of completing a deal to sign defender Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers.

The 20-year-old has been at Bolton since the age of seven and made his debut for the senior team last August, going on to make 30 appearances for the Trotters.

Numerous reports have claimed that he has now undergone a medical with the Gunners and is finalising personal terms after Bolton accepted a bid of around £2m.

Holding was named Bolton's player of the year as they were relegated to League One last season, with his form earning him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's victorious England Under-21 squad at the Toulon Tournament.

Interim Bolton boss Jimmy Phillips was reportedly instructed to leave Holding out of the team on the final day of last season due to the interest being shown in him.