Eintracht Frankfurt – flush with cash from the sale of their striker Omar Marmoush to Manchester City – have confirmed their interest in signing Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven.
The 18-year-old defender was present to watch last night’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund and CEO Markus Krosche told ESPN reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt that contact with Arsenal had been initiated.
“We spoke to Arsenal,” said Krosche. “We try to sign him. He’s a really good prospect and we’ll see if we can find a solution with him.”
Heaven was part of the Gunners squad that travelled to the USA in the summer and earned praise from manager Mikel Arteta for his performance in the friendly win over Manchester United in Los Angeles.
“At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this,” said the manager at the time.
“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen, but the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”
Heaven went on to make his competitive debut in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston North End and has trained regularly with the first team. Like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Tommy Setford, he was also included in the first team’s squad photo in September.
Our resident Arsenal Academy expert, Jeorge Bird, informs us that the centre-back’s scholarship contract expires in June.
Transfers new for you which isn’t Omar Marmoush.
Arsenal 18yo defender Ayden Heaven here tonight
Just spoke to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Markus Krösche: “We spoke to Arsenal. We try to sign him. He’s a really good prospect and we’ll see if we can find a solution with him.” @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/gf5jxE4jXe
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) January 17, 2025
Elsewhere, the Telegraph – relaying claims by TV2 in Norway – claims Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in Sverre Nypan.
The 18-year-old midfielder, a Norway under-21 international, has already played 60 matches for Rosenborg scoring 13 goals and making 11 assists. It’s suggested he could cost in the region of £10 million. One to watch.
I hope we don’t end up signing only a cb or lb. 😂
Getting some bad advice I think. No one can now level the same old ‘we dont play youngsters’ any more and who wouldn’t want to learn from training with arguably the two best CB’s in the world right now.
Surely depends on game time chances/mins?
PLaying U21’s and occasional bench at Arsenal, Playing U21’s and occasional bench at Frankfurt…then hes probably better off staying under Saliba and Gabby. But if Frankfurt can over him actual first team mins for next season, he should probably move.
If thats the case we should sell but maybe have a buy back, or first refusal clause put in?