Arsenal Rocked as Man Utd Hijack January Transfer after Higher Bid Submitted

Arsenal have been rocked in their pursuit of teenage Blackburn striker Igor Tyjon with Manchester United prepared to outbid the Gunners for the 17-year-old.

Tyjon is considered one of the brightest young attacking talent in England’s second tier and his decision to turn down a professional contract at Ewood Park has alerted a number of Premier League sides.

Rovers are keen to retain Tyjon’s services but reluctantly accept that he will leave the Lancashire side in 2026.

Tyjon 'might leave' in January, says Rovers boss

“We were in discussion with him to extend his contract. He decided not to extend his contract,” Rovers boss Valerien Ismael confirmed last month.

“So for us, it's clear that from 1 January, he might leave the club. So that's why we are focused now on the players who are for us, for the future.”

Arsenal have long been considered the frontrunners to sign Tyjon but they now face competition from United for the Championship teenager.

Igor Tyjon is wanted by Arsenal and Man Utd (Image: Getty)

The Red Devils pinched Chido Obi from Arsenal in 2024 and have earmarked the Blackburn forward as a new signing.

January is the last chance for Blackburn to earn a transfer fee for Tyjon, though they will be owed compensation if he leaves for an English side in the summer.

United are now said to be readying a £1.7m bid for Tyjon as they look to lure the Rovers star-in-the-making to Old Trafford.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have seen a number of bids of around £1m rejected by Rovers in their own pursuit of Tyjon.

Man Utd and Arsenal in FA Cup action on Sunday

Managerless United are in FA Cup action on Sunday as they gear up to face Brighton in an all-Premier League third round tie.

Darren Fletcher takes interim charge of the meeting with the Seagulls, and he’ll hope to follow up Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Burnley with victory and progression to the fourth round of the competition.

Fletcher is in the running to remain in the United hotseat for the rest of the season after the Premier League side sacked Ruben Amorim last week.

Michael Carrick and former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also in the running for the role after the pair met with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Arsenal, too, will hope to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday as they take on Championship side Portsmouth at Fratton Park.