Arsenal have made their first bid to Ajax for 18-year-old Tommy Setford, with negotiations ongoing for the England u20 goalkeeper.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have submitted their first proposal to Ajax for 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford.

Talks are ongoing, with the player’s current club seeing him as a big talent, but his deal in the Netherlands expiring in June 2025.

With Setford himself reportedly keen on the Arsenal transfer, Ajax may have to cash in to avoid losing the player on a free next summer – or at least for no more than a training compensation fee.

This would be the ideal time for Arsenal to sign Setford, because it’s the last point at which he can secure homegrown status.

A homegrown player is one who has been registered to an FA or FA of Wales club for three entire seasons before the end of the season during which he turns 21.

Setford turns 19 this season, so he’s just about able to squeeze in three seasons before the end of the campaign in which he’ll turn 21 (2026/27).

Setford spent the 2023/24 season playing his club football for the Ajax u18s, and his international football for the England u18s and u19s. He stepped up to the England u20 squad this summer, though he’s yet to make an appearance for the team.

The teenager kept six clean sheets in 15 games for Ajax this season.