Arsenal push hard to sign young Crystal Palace striker

Arsenal are pushing to sign Crystal Palace youth striker Mylo Bernard this summer, according to a report.

Isaan Khan reports for the Daily Mail that Arsenal are pushing hard to acquire 16-year-old Crystal Palace striker Mylo Bernard this summer, hoping to add Bernard to the academy signings of Elijah Upson (Tottenham Hotspur) and Axel Donczew (Cardiff City, not yet official).

Arsenal have repeatedly made moves to sign youth strikers in recent transfer windows, but without much success.

The Gunners made multiple bids for Igor Tyjon last summer, only to see them all turned down by Blackburn Rovers. Tyjon has since extended his scholarship contract for an extra year with his current club.

Arsenal also tried to sign James Wilson on loan from Hearts in January, but the player ended up at Spurs. Wilson’s underwhelming spell in London ended with Spurs deciding not to take up their purchase option, so the Gunners won’t feel too bad about that one.

Even so, the pursuit of a top youth striker continues, and that’s led Arsenal to Bernard.

The Crystal Palace youngster stepped up into u18 football on many occasions last season, though he was still technically an u16 player. With six goals in 708 minutes, he made a strong start in the u18 Premier League.

Bernard is also an England youth international, scoring four goals and assisting two in his eight appearances for the England u16s.

Arsenal would certainly benefit from adding Bernard to their u18 team this summer, but Palace aren’t going to be too keen to let their young talent leave.

New academy director Pascal De Maesschalck has a big job on his hands this summer, following the departure of Per Mertesacker, and this addition would be one way to make a statement.

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