Jamie Edge is set to sign for Premier League giants Arsenal in a six-figure sum that could help safeguard the Robins’ short-term future.
The 15-year-old Churchdown school pupil has earned rave reviews for his performances in Cheltenham’s youth team this season, prompting a number of top clubs to make official approaches to capture his signature.
Edge, a midfielder, spent three days training with Manchester United over the Easter holidays, but he is ready to shun the European champions to move to North London club Arsenal, currently fourth in the top flight.
The Robins have been teetering on the edge of administration during the second half of this season and needed to make up a £200,000 shortfall in order to stay afloat. Half of that money was generated by directors’ loans, but the club were forced to approach the borough council for a £100,000 loan last month.
The sale of Edge may avoid the need to borrow from the council and will put the club on a solid financial footing ahead of next season’s return to Coca-Cola League Two.
Chairman Paul Baker said last week that the club were still reviewing their loan application and that he hoped to announce some positive financial news this week.
Gloucester-born Edge was almost promoted to Martin Allen’s first team squad for the home match with Oldham Athletic on March 24, but needed to be 15 at the start of last September – his birthday is on September 9.
Edge has been with Cheltenham since the inception of the club’s under-nine team in the 2002-03 season and has developed into a strong, 6ft 1ins central midfielder or centre-half.
He was promoted to the under-16s side at the age of 13 and he forced his way into the under-18s team and the reserves this season.
Cheltenham’s centre of excellence co-ordinator Ken Oram said the club knew they had a special talent early on with Edge.
“Knowing Jamie’s potential, we offered him a two-year scholarship to start in 2010 and he accepted it,” he said. “Clubs have got wind of him and he is likely to be in advance of players the same age at these Premier League clubs.
“Both Manchester United and Arsenal did their homework on him and then looked after him when he went for trials.”
While at Arsenal, Edge starred in an Under-16s match against Portsmouth.
With Arsenal Edge’s preferred destination, Cheltenham are considering the compensation package and if a fee cannot be agreed, a tribunal will decide the final figure.