Arsenal are working on a deal to sign midfielder Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg.
Dialogue between the clubs and with the player’s representatives is advancing, as Arsenal try to land the 18-year-old Norway youth international.
However, a firm decision on his future has yet to be made and no agreements are in place — meaning the situation remains open.
Nypan is regarded as one of the best prospects in Europe, having made his Norwegian league debut in 2022 aged just 15. In May 2023, he became the youngest player to score in a League match for Rosenborg — just 16 years and 145 days old.
Interest has been building from a host of top teams since then — and competition for his signature remains — but Arsenal are now attempting to press ahead and win the race.
Although regarded as a great prospect for the future, Nypan would be signed with a view to joining up with the first-team squad immediately. He operates in attacking midfield, as a creative No 8 or No 10.
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While much of the focus is on Arsenal improving their forward line this month, the work on the wider squad-building strategy continues.
Arsenal have a renewed focus on recruiting global emerging talent and Nypan meets that long-term criteria as well as adding short-term depth to Mikel Arteta’s injury-hit squad.
The winter transfer window falls during the Norwegian off-season, so this month was always earmarked for a possible move.
Arsenal have a good relationship with Rosenborg and have sought to be respectful in their pursuit of Nypan, which they hope will enable them to close a deal. Joining Arsenal would see Nypan join up with his compatriot Martin Odegaard.
Nypan would be the first signing under Arsenal’s interim sporting director, Jason Ayto, who took over the role following Edu’s exit in November.
After the injury to Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal still hope to strengthen their attack this month. With long-term targets like Benjamin Sesko looking unattainable, they are now considering alternative targets.
Who is Sverre Nypan?
By Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Nypan jumps off the page. After Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Antonio Nusa, Norway has another mighty prospect.
Nypan grew up in Trondheim, playing academy football locally for Nardo FK, before joining Rosenborg in 2022. They are the town’s biggest club and, historically, the most successful side in Norwegian football.
Nypan was training with their first team at 14. He was a Norwegian under-21 international a year later. He may not have been young enough to displace Odegaard as the youngest player in Eliteserien history — the Arsenal captain was 15 years and 118 days when he made his first appearance for Stromsgodset in 2014 — but his progress is no less remarkable. Eight goals for Rosenborg during the 2024 season and a team-leading six assists has helped him to quickly capture the national interest.
Direct comparisons with Odegaard are tempting and not unreasonable, but Nypan is a more all-round midfielder. He can pass, carry, create and score goals, too, but tends to occupy more areas of the pitch. Nypan is more of a No 8, less of a No 10, and plays with fewer flourishes.
GO DEEPER
Meet Arsenal target Sverre Nypan, the Rosenborg teenager with 4,000 minutes under his belt
(Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
