Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon. Standard Sport understands that Arsenal will pay £1million up front with a further £2m in add-ons for the 18-year-old, who is set to undergo a medical today, Friday, August 21.
Medical and announcement timeline
A formal announcement is then expected to be made early next week. Tyjon, who will train with Arsenal’s first team but play for the club’s Under-21s team, has been a long-standing target for the Gunners and is expected to be given some senior minutes by Mikel Arteta this season.
Long pursuit ends in move south
Arsenal initially made an approach for the England youth international last summer and then again in January but were rebuffed on both occasions by Blackburn. Amid interest from the Premier League champions, Tyjon rejected an offer to sign professional terms with Blackburn to pursue a move to the Emirates.
The versatile forward joined Blackburn from Rochdale in 2023 and made three senior appearances for the Rovers, with the first two of those coming during the 2024/25 season.
Further youth deals expected
Tyjon is set to become the latest youth player to join Arsenal this summer, with the north London club also expected to complete deals for Manchester United duo Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon.
As Standard Sport reported on Thursday, Ogunneye has undergone a medical ahead of joining Arsenal’s U21s on a free transfer. United retain a 40 per cent sell-on clause for the 20-year-old right-back, who will also train with Arsenal’s first team.
Scanlon, meanwhile, is also closing in on a move to north London, with the 19-year-old winger said to be keen on joining Arsenal. Both deals are expected to gather pace over the weekend as Arsenal step up their renewed focus on youth recruitment.
