Arsenal academy defender Ayden Heaven was in attendance for Eintracht Frankfurt’s game against Borussia Dortmund on Friday, with their CEO confirming they’re trying to sign him.
ESPN reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt reported on Friday that Arsenal youth defender Ayden Heaven was in attendance for Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Rhind-Tutt spoke to club CEO Markus Krosche about a potential transfer for the youngster, with the executive confirming: “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.”
Though not explicitly confirmed, the assumption should be that Frankfurt are looking to sign Heaven on permanent terms, rather than a loan.
The defender’s current Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season, so a loan would only make sense if the Gunners extended his deal first. There has been no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations on that front.
Heaven is still on a scholarship contract at Arsenal, having so far passed up the opportunity to sign a professional deal while his peers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were doing so.
Fabrizio Romano and Simon Collings reported earlier this month that talks were ongoing, with a new contract still possible. But the longer those conversations drag on without a resolution, the more likely a permanent exit looks.
Whether Frankfurt are trying to sign Heaven for a fee now or agree a deal with him for when his Arsenal contract runs out remains to be seen. His presence in Germany suggests the former.
Heaven made his first-team debut for Arsenal this season, coming on as a substitute against Preston North End. He’s made seven appearances in Mikel Arteta’s squad overall, but that was his only spell on the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the 18-year-old wasn’t involved in the Arsenal u21s’ game against Fulham on Saturday afternoon. He’s played 14 times for the academy this campaign.