Arsenal have approached St Mirren regarding their teenage forward Evan Mooney, it has been reported. The 17-year-old is having a breakthrough season with the Scottish side and scored his first Premiership goal as a second-half substitute during a 3-2 win over St Johnstone last month.

And according to The Scottish Sun, the Gunners are showing interest in Mooney. It's claimed that 'contact has come in' from the north London club, though an offer has yet to materialise. St Mirren are preparing to receive bids for the 2007-born sensation, with Newcastle reportedly making an official approach on New Year's Eve.

Both Newcastle and Arsenal are said to have been following the progress of the attacker since he made his first-team debut in the summer. Several other top teams are said to be tracking his services as well. After scoring his first league goal against St Johnstone, Mooney assisted St Mirren's winner against Rangers on Boxing Day.

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Mooney, who is contracted until 2028, also scored a hat-trick in the Scottish Youth Cup against Hearts in November. After that game - which St Mirren won 3-0 - Under 18s manager Stephen McGinn said: "I am so proud of them.

"I said to them coming into the game that big cup games are so tight and, first and foremost, worry about playing well as a team. When they do that, then individual brilliance will shine through and Evan Mooney stepped up for us."

McGinn added that St Mirren need to find the balance between using Mooney in the U18s and first-team, as he continues to make an impact at senior level. "We have spoken to him individually as I have been here as a player where you are on that transition to the first team," McGinn added.

"You’re full focus is on trying to get another taste of the first team and you come back on the Friday and there is a spotlight on him. We spoke about how him at his best is when he doesn’t come down here trying to get goals but being a team player. It is another really good hat-trick and, if you score goals, you catch anyone’s attention."