Sverre Nypan arrived in London on Sunday night ahead of Arsenal transfer talks, with Manchester City seemingly not in the race but sister club Girona keen.
Simon Jones reports for the Daily Mail that Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan was in London on Sunday night ahead of talks with Arsenal, though the Gunners aren’t the only team in the race.
Jones claims Arsenal’s Champions League opponents Girona also want Nypan, whilst Fabrizio Romano adds that Aston Villa have also presented a project to the teenager.
The decision is up to the player, who is taking his time to mull over his options.
One club not in the race, at least not in the immediate future, is Manchester City. It was widely believed that City were in for Nypan, and his presence at their game on Saturday seemingly confirmed it.
But David Ornstein reports that City won’t be signing Nypan for now.
“[Arsenal are] working on a deal to sign Sverre Nypan,” Ornstein confirmed to NBC Sports. “They’re advancing in talks with his representatives, and club-to-club. Nothing has been agreed, there’s no decision made on his future.
“Others are interested in him, such as Girona in Spain. Not Manchester City, they are not going to be signing him. But let’s see how that one plays out, he will be moving in this window.”
Of course, Girona making a move is effectively just Manchester City in disguise. The two clubs are both owned by City Group, and you’d imagine a large part of Girona’s pitch is that he can move to Manchester later.
Fabrizio Romano has said so explicitly, stating that it’s actually City Group after Nypan, and they’re proposing a transfer to “Girona with [a] future move to Manchester City”.
Arsenal may have an advantage in that they’re offering the chance to join a Premier League first-team squad right now, with the Gunners planning to add Nypan to Mikel Arteta’s options immediately.
But City Group are clearly making an attempt of their own, using an invitation to Erling Haaland’s private box to try and convince the Norwegian talent. Let’s hope Arsenal have a visit to see Martin Odegaard lined up in response.