Arsenal are set to announce the signing of a youth defender from Tottenham after missing out on Aston Villa target Morgan Rogers to Chelsea
Arsenal have reportedly completed the signing of Tottenham prospect Elijah Upson, the son of former Gunners defender Matthew, after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea. The 18‑year‑old is understood to have turned down a new contract in north London despite spending most of his youth career in the Spurs academy.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton were also interested, with European giants Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen among his admirers. However, reports say Upson made his decision after visiting Arsenal's London Colney training ground and consulting with his family.
Upson is now set to follow in the footsteps of his father Matthew, who made 56 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2003. With the move expected to be confirmed in due course, Spurs will receive compensation from their rivals, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The versatile defender will arrive at the Emirates with the ability to play centrally or at right‑back. Upson featured in six of Spurs' seven Uefa Youth League matches this season.
He also started 13 of the Lilywhites' first 16 Under‑18 Premier League fixtures. Across the age groups, Upson made 34 appearances for the Under‑18s, six for the Under‑19s and two for the Under‑21s.
Upson's move comes after news broke that Chelsea had agreed to pay Aston Villa a club‑record £117million for Rogers. Arsenal had long appeared the most likely destination for the former Middlesbrough star but their pursuit stalled once Chelsea swooped in to strike a mega‑money deal with Villa.
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Xabi Alonso played a key role in convincing the England international to choose Stamford Bridge over the Emirates, despite the Gunners being champions. Rogers is expected to undergo a medical in London on Monday once he returns from the World Cup.
The transfer will trigger a major windfall for Rogers' former club, Middlesbrough, who inserted a 20 per cent sell‑on clause into the deal that took the attacking midfielder to Villa Park for an initial £7m with a further £8m in add‑ons, during the 2024 winter window.
Rogers started for England in their 6-4 win over France on Saturday night. The 23‑year‑old made three starts at the World Cup and scored twice, coming off the bench in four other games.