Kyran Thompson has turned down Tottenham Hotspur and a new Arsenal contract to sign for Newcastle United instead, according to a report.
Out-of-contract Arsenal youngster Kyran Thompson is set to join Newcastle United, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the decision is made and a deal is in place.
Romano writes that Thompson picked Newcastle over many other offers, and he’ll soon undergo a medical and sign on the dotted line.
Amid claims last week that Thompson was set to join Tottenham Hotspur, we’d covered reports that the player had actually been pictured in Newcastle, and that he hadn’t made his final decision. It seems that decision has now been made.
Thompson’s Arsenal deal came to an end this summer, and the Gunners were keen to extend, but it seems the player wanted assurances over his position.
Thompson’s father Karl took to social media on Monday morning to say: “Future is so bright, and we can’t wait for him to get started and play in the position he’s best at – RW.”
The 16-year-old did spend time on the right with Arsenal this season, but he spent just as much time playing at centre-forward or (less frequently) on the left.
Arsenal reportedly signed Thompson from West Ham United for £1.1m, and they handed the player a full scholarship at St. John’s Senior School.
After that, the Gunners fast-tracked Thompson through the ranks, giving the 16-year-old 28 appearances in the u18s this season, as well as three appearances in the u19s and one for the u21s.
To go through all that only for the player to leave for a Premier League rival is undoubtedly a shame, but it seems he felt he was more likely to play in the position he wants to play in Newcastle.