Arsenal ROCKED as Man Utd hijack striker signing

Manchester United are reportedly eager to hijack Arsenal’s proposed deal for Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon.

The 17-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Mikel Arteta’s side in recent months and he is expected to leave Ewood Park in 2026 after rejecting the chance to sign a professional contract at the Championship club.

This was recently confirmed by Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael, who told reporters in late December: “We were in discussion with him to extend his contract. He decided not to extend his contract.

“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.”

Arsenal submitted several bids for Tyjon last summer, but they were rejected by Blackburn, who were confident of tying him down to fresh terms at the time.

However, he is now set to leave the Championship club this year and Arsenal have long been considered the frontrunners for his signature.

Man Utd join Igor Tyjon transfer race

While Arsenal are keen to add Tyjon to their ranks amid their pursuit of a new academy striker, Man Utd have now joined the race for his signature, as per The Sun.

The Red Devils poached the highly-rated Chido Obi from Arsenal in 2024, but they have also earmarked Tyjon as a potential new signing.

The January transfer window is Blackburn’s final chance to earn a transfer fee for Tyjon, although they will still be owed a compensation package if he joins a fellow English club on a Bosman deal this summer.

It remains to be seen if he will leave Ewood Park this month or whether a transfer will instead take place ahead of the 2026-27 season, however Arsenal are likely to face significant competition for his signature amid news of Man Utd’s interest in the teenager.

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