Arsenal target Igor Tyjon takes drastic step after bids rejected

Arsenal target Igor Tyjon has reportedly taken a significant step towards forcing through his move from Blackburn Rovers after the Gunners saw several bids rejected for the teenage striker.

The 18-year-old has declined to sign a professional contract at Ewood Park and Arsenal have continued pursuing him following a year-long interest.

Tyjon has now reportedly asked Blackburn to de-register him as his attempt to secure an Arsenal transfer escalates.

🚨@gunnerblog: Arsenal’s protracted pursuit of Blackburn Rovers’ 18-year-old striker Igor Tyjon continues. 🔛🔴⚪️

The England Under-18 international declined to sign a professional contract with Rovers, who instead extended his scholarship agreement into a third year. ✍️… pic.twitter.com/9zqUbJ455v

— David Schill (@DTalkingArsenal) August 18, 2026

Igor Tyjon pushes for Arsenal transfer

James McNicholas of The Athletic reports that Arsenal have made several attempts to sign Tyjon, but Blackburn have so far refused to sanction his departure.

The striker’s scholarship was extended into a third year despite his refusal to sign professional terms, leaving the two parties locked in a dispute over his future.

According to Daily Cannon, Alan Nixon has now reported that Tyjon has formally asked Blackburn to de-register him.

He is currently neither training nor playing, with the dispute potentially heading before the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee.

That process could delay Arsenal’s attempts to complete the move for several weeks.

The situation nevertheless provides a strong indication of where Tyjon wants his future to lie.

Arsenal’s interest is not new. Blackburn rejected bids worth more than £1million last year, while the Gunners returned this summer as part of an increased focus on recruiting elite young talent.

That academy strategy is particularly interesting while the futures of several existing Arsenal youngsters remain uncertain.

ReadArsenal recently covered Ethan Nwaneri’s uncertain position after the 19-year-old was omitted from the Community Shield squad and attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

Tyjon would arrive at a different stage of his development, but Arsenal’s determination to secure him shows the club are still aggressively targeting potential first-team talent before it becomes considerably more expensive.

The deal is not complete.

But after repeated Arsenal bids failed to convince Blackburn, Tyjon has now taken matters considerably further himself.