Arsenal have confirmed a first professional contract for young striker Khayon Edwards, having impressed through the academy. The 18-year-old, often described as a “prolific striker” at youth level, has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Brighton in recent weeks.
However, doubts over his future have been put to rest with his new contract, joining a long list of academy forwards that have made their way through the ranks. It comes ahead of a huge summer for Mikel Arteta in that particular department.
The pairing of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are set to leave the club at the end of the season, becoming free agents, leaving academy graduate Folarin Balogun as the only natural centre-forward option after his loan spell at Middlesbrough. While Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli have been touted as playing there too, the need for a goalscorer couldn’t be clearer.
