Arsenal snatch Spurs teenager Upson as Vinicius Jr set to stay at Real Madrid

Arsenal have won the race to sign Elijah Upson from north London rivals Tottenham, according to the Daily Mail, as the newly crowned Premier League champions move quickly to strengthen their squad ahead of a title defence.

Upson, 18, is the son of former Premier League and England centre-back Matthew Upson and made 31 appearances for Spurs in the Under-18 Premier League. A versatile, front-footed defender, he can operate as a central defender, wing-back or right-back. The report indicates that Arsenal saw off significant competition, with Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco all understood to have made offers for the teenager.

The Gunners ended a more than two-decade wait for a league title last season, also reaching the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta has already moved to reinforce his squad this summer, making Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent and signing former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer. Upson’s arrival would add further depth to a defence that underpinned Arsenal’s title-winning campaign.

Elsewhere, the long-running speculation linking Arsenal with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior appears to be drawing to a close — without a move materialising. Spanish outlet AS reports that Vinicius will meet with Real Madrid officials at the end of July, with a deadline set to agree a contract extension. His current deal runs until June 2027.

The report states that Real Madrid spoke with Vinicius immediately after Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup by Norway in the round of 16, and that both parties agreed to hold talks. The club’s hierarchy are said to be confident a new deal will be reached and no longer view his future as a concern.

Arsenal had been loosely linked with a move for Vinicius during a period when the Brazilian was reported to be unsettled at the Bernabeu. With that uncertainty now apparently resolved, Arteta will need to look elsewhere as he targets wide reinforcements this summer.