Arsenal target Igor Tyjon formally requests Blackburn release to force £1m Gunners move

Igor Tyjon has formally requested that Blackburn Rovers de-register him from their books, pushing hard for a move to Arsenal, who have tabled a £1 million fee plus a further £2 million upfront to secure the 18-year-old, according to reports from Alan Nixon and The Athletic’s James McNicholas.

Tyjon has been a long-term target for the Gunners but his path to north London has been complicated by a contract dispute at Ewood Park. The youngster declined to sign a professional deal with Rovers, who responded by extending his scholarship contract for a third consecutive season — an unusual step that has only intensified the standoff.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has so far added only Christos Tzolis in attack this window as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, while the club continues to work on moving Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson on to free up funds for a more prominent signing. Tyjon would not be expected to compete for a first-team place immediately.

The Gunners are simultaneously pursuing higher-profile attacking targets in Victor Osimhen and Julian Alvarez to bolster a forward line that already includes Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, with Mikel Merino available as an emergency option.

Tyjon has made two Football League appearances for Blackburn and has represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level. He is also eligible to represent Poland, having featured for their under-16 side. At club level, Arsenal’s own 18-year-old forward Andre Harriman-Annous — nephew of England rugby captain Maro Itoje — has already received competitive minutes in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup under Arteta.

Arsenal recently confirmed David Horseman as their new under-21 head coach, a role that would likely oversee Tyjon’s development should the move be completed before the transfer window closes.