Manchester United are the latest club to join the race for Blackburn Rovers sensation Igor Tyjon.
The forward, who will turn 18 in March, joined the Blackburn youth academy from Rochdale in 2023. Since then, Tyjon, who is also an international for England at youth level, has featured in three senior games for Rovers, making their bench on a number of occasions in the 2025/26 season. Despite not yet being a legal adult, Tyjon has netted nine goals in 20 games for Blackburn's Under-21s.
Tyjon has, according to The Sun, "turned down the chance to sign a professional contract at Ewood Park," with his current deal set to expire in the summer.
Arsenal have registered an interest in the teenager and are seen as the leading club in the race to acquire his services.
In recent years, Arsenal have seen a number of promising graduates from their Hale End academy. Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman are all regarded as immensely talented youngsters and manager Mikel Arteta has shown how well he can manage youth products within his team.
It would appear, however, that whilst the Gunners remain in front, another of England's elite has joined the race for Tyjon.
Man United interested in Tyjon
The Sun have reported that United have "joined the race" for Tyjon. In recent years, the Red Devils have poached a number of young talents from the Gunners. They signed Chido Obi from Arsenal's academy in 2024 and last year, snapped up defender Ayden Heaven, both of whom have since featured for the club's first-team.
Man United are evidently hopeful that, once again, they will prove successful in convincing a young talent to join them over Arsenal. Geographically, Old Trafford is much closer to Tyjon in Blackburn than the Emirates is, something that could certainly aid the club in negotiations.
Blackburn will, no doubt, be reluctant to part with such a talent, but the January window could represent the last chance the club have at getting any money for their most talented "academy player since Adam Wharton," as he was described by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Were Tyjon to leave in the summer, then Rovers would only be entitled to a compensation package.
The 2025/26 season has not been a simple one for Man United, who recently parted ways with Ruben Amorim, 14 months after the Portuguese was appointed. Sacked after some fiery comments following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Amorim has temporarily been replaced by Darren Fletcher.
Man United's search for a new permanent manager continues and the club may appoint a caretaker boss to see out the campaign. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Michael Carrick, ex-Red Devils who have both coached the club in at least a caretaker capacity, have both been linked with the role, amidst other names.
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Along with their obvious similarities, both managers have a tendency to utilise younger players, something that could prove crucial in swaying Tyjon to snub Arsenal for a move to Old Trafford.
A young forward with a staggering amount of potential, pursuing Tyjon as a signing may prove simpler for Man United than any senior additions they could make ahead of hiring a replacement for Amorim. Regardless of their immediate fortunes, Tyjon is a talent who the club could come to rely on for years.