Arsenal are set to complete three transfers this week, delivering a double blow to Manchester United in the process. The Gunners are on the verge of announcing the signings of Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon from United's academy, while Blackburn Rovers' Igor Tyjon is also set to move to the Emirates.
Academy talent targeted
Mikel Arteta's side are intent on producing some of the finest talent in England and are scouring the country to achieve that goal. They have already brought through Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman in recent years. United and Blackburn are expected to have sell-on clauses in addition to any fees for their young players.
While academies are primarily focused on producing players for the first team, the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan has also made developing talent for future sales a key objective. Top-flight rivals Chelsea have proven most adept at this, having raked in over £400million in transfer fees from academy-produced players. Any homegrown sale represents a significant financial windfall for clubs, as such players are considered pure profit — a crucial factor under the former PSR (profit and sustainability) regulations.
Medicals and deals
The Athletic claim that Ogunneye, a 20-year-old right-back, has already undergone a medical ahead of his anticipated departure from Old Trafford. Arsenal are also said to be on the brink of securing a deal for 19-year-old Red Devils winger Scanlon. Both transfers are expected to be completed on a free basis, with Manchester United set to receive substantial sell-on clauses in return.
Both emerging talents are familiar to Arsenal's new under-21s head coach, David Horseman. He previously worked for four months at United in an academy coaching capacity.
Tyjon pursuit concluded
The Gunners are also understood to be on the verge of concluding their lengthy pursuit of Blackburn Rovers' Tyjon. The 18-year-old forward had been in disagreement with the Championship side after they rejected numerous approaches from Arsenal. Nevertheless, it is understood that a resolution was reached last week, with Tyjon undergoing a medical on Friday. Arsenal have reportedly agreed to pay an initial £1m, plus bonuses and a sell-on clause, for the England Under-18 international.
Regarding first-team additions, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have acquired Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa for a combined fee of £200m. However, considerable transfer business is still expected before the window closes at 11pm on September 1, with numerous players deemed surplus to requirements expected to leave.
