Arsenal target Elijah Upson on free transfer after Tottenham exit at 18

Arsenal are monitoring Elijah Upson, the 18-year-old son of former Gunners defender Matthew Upson, with the teenager set to leave Tottenham on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June, according to The Athletic.

Elijah, who plays as a defender like his father, joined Spurs at the age of seven and has spent more than a decade in their academy system. His departure from north London opens the door for a move that would see him follow in his father’s footsteps by representing Tottenham’s fiercest rivals.

Matthew Upson made 57 appearances for Arsenal across six seasons before going on to play for Birmingham City and West Ham in the Premier League. The now 47-year-old earned 21 England caps during his career before retiring in 2016.

Any deal for Elijah would represent a move for the future rather than an immediate first-team addition, fitting Arsenal’s established approach of identifying and developing young domestic talent. The club are also said to be in pole position to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, a 16-year-old who has attracted multiple Premier League suitors after breaking into the Foxes’ first-team picture. Monga becomes eligible to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 next month.

Beyond their youth recruitment, Arsenal are also pursuing more senior attacking reinforcements. Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers is understood to be of strong interest, though the England international — currently at the World Cup — is attracting attention from several elite clubs. Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola and Norwich City’s Christos Tzolis have also been linked as Arsenal look to strengthen the left side of their attack.