Queen's Park Rangers are said to be interested in bringing Irish underage international Graham Barrett to Loftus Raod for the beginning of next season. The highly rated forward, who has played twice in the Premiership for Arsenal, is low down in the pecking order at Highbury at the moment and QPR feel they can persuade Arsene Wenger to allow him to move across the English capital to gain experience.

Arsenal allowed fellow Irish underage international Brian McGovern to learn his trade at Loftus Road at the tail-end of last season. McGovern impressed so much with his displays in the heart of the QPR defence that it is reported that they are willing to fork out hard cash to sign him full time.

When McGovern returned to Arsenal he earned his first Premiership game in their 4-2 defeat at Newcastle. He was introduced into the game when Arsenal were already 4-2 down and kept England striker Alan Shearer quiet for the remaining 30 minutes of the game.

Rangers may try and sign young Arsenal striker Graham Barrett, who is expected to be loaned out next season.

In the past, QPR have bought or borrowed several players from their London rivals with the likes of Lee Harper, Steve Morrow, Chris Kiwomya and Matthew Rose all making the short journey to Loftus Road.

Indeed, last season, young Gunners defender Brian McGovern gained invaluable first-team experience with Rangers in the last few months of the season.

It is believed that Barrett will succeed at Highbury. The pacy FA Youth Cup-winning skipper, is regarded as having all the qualities needed at the top level. Wenger believes that giving the Irishman a loan spell in the First Division could only be beneficial to his football education.

However, Arsenal's head of youth development, Liam Brady, believes there are too many foreign players at Arsenal and in the Premiership and that it is blocking fresh talent such as Barrett and McGovern from making their breakthrough .

Brady was a product of Arsenal's youth programme in the 70s and, as a successful Gunners midfielder of legendary status, is well placed to assess the chances for today's youngsters.

Brady said: "I don't want Arsenal to go out and spend £5 or £10m on a player every time they want to improve the squad. My aim is to help Arsenal to develop their own young players."

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