Chelsea are joined by Leeds United and Newcastle United in the race to sign Arsenal’s youth sensation Khayon Edwards.
According to Daily Mail, Arsenal have a battle on their hands as they look to keep hold of Khayon Edwards. The young forward is regarded as one of the most talented players in the academy that has produced some great talents in the past. But the player is heading into the final six months of his scholarship contract, and Arsenal have failed to negotiate a professional deal so far, despite tabling multiple offers.
It has put numerous clubs on red alert, including Premier League giants Chelsea. They are joined by Leeds United and Newcastle United on the list of English clubs interested in his services, while Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach are monitoring the situation closely as well.
A centre-forward by trade, Edwards has been one of the rising stars in the Arsenal U-18 squad this term, netting nine goals in 11 appearances in the U18 Premier League. He has mesmerised the onlookers with his goalscoring prowess, coupled with his dynamism and flair in the final third.
His performances in the youth competition even earned him a couple of appearances for Arsenal’s reserve team, including one in the EFL Trophy. He has also trained with the first team under Mikel Arteta, but it appears the youngster is not fully convinced of his prospects at the Emirates.
As a result, Khayon Edwards has emerged as a top target for Chelsea, who are keen on further bolstering their young attacking options, especially with Timo Werner facing an uncertain future at the club.
Leeds United, too, will be keen on adding an extra striker to their ranks in January after an injury-plagued first half of the campaign that saw Patrick Bamford miss a plethora of matches. Edwards, in that regard, could be an ideal competitor for the likes of Tyler Roberts and Joe Gelhardt.
As for Newcastle United, the addition of the 18-year-old sensation could help them build a core for the future, as they brace themselves for the prospect of potentially playing in the Championship next season.
However, a prolonged stay at Arsenal shouldn’t be ruled for the young forward who may become a beneficiary as the club looks to sanction a loan deal for Folarin Balogun. The young forward is expected to join Bournemouth on a loan deal, while Eddie Nketiah is facing an uncertain future as well, paving the way for Edwards to potentially become a part of Arteta’s first-team plans in the near future.
