Tommy Setford is reportedly on the cusp of joining Arsenal, with the North London club reaching an agreement to sign the 18-year-old England youth international from Ajax.
According to reputed English journalist David Ornstein, Tommy Setford has been the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners are keen on signing a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. And they are on the verge of signing the Dutch-born England youth international in a deal worth around €1 million plus add-ons, with the youngster penning a four-year contract.
Who is Tommy Setford?
Tommy Setford has made considerable progress in the last 11 years at Ajax. A native of Haarlem, he has spent his formative years in the Netherlands, going from strength to strength in over a decade with Ajax. However, he has represented England in age-group football, making his bow for the under-19 side earlier this year.
The 18-year-old has yet to break into the first-team squad at Ajax but has represented the Dutch giants on the under-18 and under-19 levels. However, Setford’s performances have generated enough hype to capture the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe.
Widespread reports have linked the Dutch-born England youth international with many Premier League bigwigs, with the English clubs monitoring his progress for a long time. Setford’s next destination is England, with Arsenal set to sign him in a deal worth around €1 million plus add-ons in the summer transfer window.
London calling
Arsenal’s interest in Tommy Setford is understandable. The Gunners have been scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Aaron Ramsdale. With David Raya turning 30 next year, signing a young goalkeeper can set Arsenal up for the long-term future.
Setford has thus emerged as a viable target for Arsenal, with the North London club recently submitting a bid to sign the Dutch-born England youth international in the summer transfer window. The teenage goalkeeping prospect has also been keen on moving to England for the first time in his career, with the move now close.
Arsenal will pay around €1 million to Ajax for the 18-year-old goalkeeper while including add-ons in the agreement. Meanwhile, Setford will sign a four-year contract with the North London club after arriving in the English capital. In addition, his brother, Charlie, might also move to England soon, with Liverpool and Manchester City vying for his signature.
