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Arsenal edge closer to striker signing as contract decision confirmed
Cameron Smith
- 6 Jan 2026 12:20 GMT
- 3 min read
News
Arsenal are reportedly edging closer to the signing of Blackburn Rovers wonderkid Igor Tyjon after he rejected a contract offer from the Ewood Park outfit.
The England U18 international is into the final six months of his current scholarship deal with the Championship outfit and he is set to leave the club this year after snubbing the chance to sign fresh terms with Valerien Ismael’s side.
Current ETV
Igor Tyjon
F (C)
Blackburn
Igor Tyjon
F (C)
Blackburn
ETV Range
€0.3M - €0.5M
Tyjon was the subject of multiple bids from Arsenal last summer, but Blackburn turned down the opportunity to sell the 17-year-old as they were confident of tying him down to a professional contract.
However, the teenager has set his sights on an Ewood Park exit and Ismael recently confirmed as much during a press conference in late December.
“We were in discussion with him to extend his contract. He decided not to extend his contract,” the Blackburn boss told reporters (via The Lancashire Telegraph).
“So for us, it's clear that from 1 January, he might leave the club. So that's why we are focused now on the players who are for us, for the future.”
Igor Tyjon to join Arsenal?
Transfer reporter HandofArsenal has revealed that Mikel Arteta's side are currently leading the race for Tyjon, with a fee of €1.15 million (£1m) expected to be enough to secure the 17-year-old’s signature before the end of the winter transfer window.
The Athletic and The Sun have also confirmed that Arsenal are keen to land the Blackburn striker as the club look to bolster their academy ranks with a new striker following the high-profile departure of Chido Obi to Manchester United in 2024.
Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero and Irish midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna will all arrive at the Emirates Stadium after their 18th birthdays in 2027, and Tyjon could become the latest teenager to secure a lucrative move to the Gunners amid significant transfer interest.
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