Arsenal hopes of signing Italian prodigy ended

Lazio have convinced youth team prodigy Antonio Rozzi to sign a professional deal - staving off interest from Arsenal.

The Premier League club landed German youngster Thomas Eisfeld in January and reports in Italy have claimed that they were hoping to snap up striker Rozzi.

But the Rome-born 17-year-old has decided against leaving the Italian capital by signing his first professional deal with boyhood club Lazio.

Rozzi, who made his senior debut earlier this month, has scored nine goals in the club's youth team this season - attracting the attention of Arsenal and Italian clubs Roma and Juventus.

But, according to La Gazzette Dello Sport, he has now committed his future to the club which he joined as a five-year-old by penning a three-year deal.