It seems Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of talent coming through their academy. The gunners are now in the final stages of locking wonder-kid Khayon Edwards to a professional contract. Edwards is excelling with the gunners and is now ready to reap rewards. Moreover, at just 18, Khayon Edwards is attracting offers from other premier league clubs as well.
Arsenal have Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe currently in the squad who have come from the club’s Hale End academy. Both Saka and Smith Rowe have worked wonders with Arsenal, with the latter even earning a long-term deal for himself. Edwards and Saka are now next in line to negotiate extensions, who have the same agent. Both are expected to get a handsome paycheque at their levels.
Edwards, who plays for the youth ranks, has put up exceptional numbers for the gunners. Being a center-forward, Khayon Edwards has notched up a massive 16 goals in 16 appearances for the Arsenal Under-18 side. Furthermore, the striker has 5 assists as well to show in those games. As a result, Arsenal are eager to extend their academy star with a professional contract.
Arsenal academy producing the finest of talents
Arsenal’s academy has given the club massive success from time to time. Ashley Cole, Cesc Fabregas, Per Mertesacker, Bukayo Saka, and Emile Smith Rowe are just a few to name who have come through the Hale end. Moreover, current manager Mikel Arteta seems to have struck a wonderful chord with the players coming from the academy. Arteta handed another impressive kid from the academy his senior team debut in the League Cup.
Charlie Patino is the name in the discussion, who scored on his Arsenal debut against Sunderland. His progress didn’t halt there, Arteta further handed Patino his FA Cup debut, by naming him in the starting eleven. As is evident, Arteta trusts the Arsenal academy immensely, and won’t anticipate that a 16-goal star kid leaves.
Arsenal are accelerating the process of extending Edwards as clubs in Chelsea, Leeds United, and Newcastle United are keeping a tab on his situation. The sensational striker’s contract expires at the end of the season, as he is currently on a scholarship deal. The North Londoners have outlined their plan of building a team brimming with young talent. Moreover, with Alexandre Lacazette looking for an exit in the summer, Arsenal have made it clear that his replacement will be bought. But Arteta may turn to Khayon Edwards as a back-up to the new striker.
Academy boss and former Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker gave an insight into the plans for the youth ranks. Mertesacker said,
“Strong Young Gunners means this is our vision where we want our players to stand strong in every scenario they will face. We are passionate about creating youngsters who can rise to any challenge and we have a rich history and heritage we want to pay tribute to and carry on.”
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