English Premier League side Arsenal have set the wheels in motion to sign the highly-rated Roma teenager Sadiq Umar ahead of the summer transfer market.<br /><br />Several Italian media outlets, including <i>La Repubblica</i>, have reported that Roma have rejected a bid from the Gunners for the lanky frontman, who has caught the eye this season after netting 16 times for the youth team of the Giallorossi.<br /><br />Umar&rsquo;s intermediary, Mohammed Lawal, has confirmed that Arsenal have opened a line of communication with their Italian counterparts over the possibility of his client joining the Londoners but talks are far from being concluded.<br /><br />&ldquo;Yes, there is interest from Arsenal but at this moment nothing is done, &rdquo;said Mohammed Lawal to <b>allnigeriasoccer.com</b>.<br /><br />&ldquo;Contact was made with Roma so we will see where it takes us in the next few days/weeks.&rdquo;<br /><br />Due to his physical characteristics and playing style, Sadiq Umar has been dubbed the next Nwankwo Kanu back in his homeland.<br /><br />The Future of Africa Academy, Kaduna product is on loan at Roma from Spezia until the end of the 2015-16 season.<br /><b><br />Ifeanyi Emmanuel</b><br />