Arsenal miss out! £12.5m Norwegian wonderkid snubs the Gunners for City

Arsenal have lost out in the race to sign Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan, with Manchester City striking a deal to bring the Rosenborg midfielder to the Etihad.

The 18-year-old will move for a reported £12.5 million after City reached an agreement with Rosenborg that includes no add-ons or sell-on clauses. Nypan is expected to sign a contract until 2030, with personal terms still to be finalised.

Despite his strong links to Arsenal earlier in the year, Nypan is now set to become City’s latest long-term project. The Premier League side are expected to loan him out for the 2025–26 season to aid his development.

Arsenal had identified Nypan as a serious midfield target and were among several clubs in for him during the January window. Aston Villa and Girona were also keen, but City’s late approach, coupled with a clear development plan, turned the tide.

Nypan’s camp had previously indicated a willingness to wait until summer before making a final decision. Arsenal hoped that would play in their favour. Instead, the Gunners have watched one of Europe’s top young talents slip away.

The Norway youth international already has 70 senior appearances for Rosenborg and has featured in European competition. He scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists during that time, playing across multiple midfield roles and even as a centre-forward.

His profile had been growing steadily since his debut at 15, but a standout performance in a friendly against Manchester United last July brought wider attention. Arsenal, among others, kept close tabs in the months that followed.

City were not involved during the initial round of interest but entered the frame late with a more structured long-term pitch. Their advantage as part of the City Football Group also offered flexible development routes, including a possible stint at Girona.

For Arsenal, the failure to land Nypan will sting. The club had been proactive in their pursuit, hoping to bring in another high-upside midfielder to develop behind the current first-team group.

With the Gunners set to return to the Champions League next season and midfield reinforcements still on the agenda, the focus now shifts to alternative targets.

But missing out on a player of Nypan’s potential — one they had trailed early — is a reminder that in today’s market, even the best scouting does not always win the race.

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