Arsenal hope to finally snap up Championship wonderkid after year-long chase as they add three players to academy ranks

ARSENAL are hoping to finally snap up Blackburn wonderkid Igor Tyjon this summer. The striker, 18, has been on the Gunners’ radar for a year and they explored a deal for him in January. Igor Tyjon has turned down the chance to sign a professional contract with Blackburn Mikel Arteta will be excited for the future of another prospective wonderkid Credit: Getty Tyjon is yet to sign a professional contract with Blackburn and has turned down the chance to pen one with them. His scholarship terms have now been extended by 12 months and the expectation is he leaves this summer. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Blackburn rejected bids worth over £1million a year ago and want more than that this time around. Arsenal have been looking to bolster their ranks at youth level after poor results over the past few years. The Gunners are set to sign Cardiff midfielder Axel Donczew and are working on a deal for Crystal Palace striker Mylo Bernard. The 16-year-olds will join the club as scholars but with an agreement in place for them to sign pro deals in a year. The duo will join Arsenal’s current crop of scholars, which includes Emerson Nwaneri. The midfielder is the younger brother of Ethan Nwaneri and has been tipped for a big future. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Arsenal have made big changes to their academy setup this summer by hiring Pascal De Maesschalck. The Belgian has taken on the role of academy director – and officially started work last weekend. Comment now