Arsenal left it late on transfer deadline day but the Gunners have agreed a deal which is set to increase Mikel Arteta's options for the second half the 2025-26 season
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Stoke City's Jaden Dixon during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Stoke City and Fleetwood Town at Bet365 Stadium on September 17, 2024 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Jaden Dixon is poised to join Arsenal(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have struck a last-minute deal to sign highly-rated defender Jaden Dixon from Stoke City for around £500,000. The Gunners fought off competition from a number of clubs to sign 18-year-old Dixon in the final hours of the transfer window.
The England under-19 international made his first-team debut for Stoke last season, and he's recently been on the Potters' bench for Championship fixtures. Dixon is primarily a centre-back but can play as a right-back, possessing the kind of versatility that Mikel Arteta will love.
Football London report that Dixon will go into Arsenal's academy setup, as the Gunners are well stocked at centre-back in their senior squad. Marli Salmon, who's just 16, is set to be Dixon's rival for a place - or partner - at youth level.
The Stoke prospect, who's been a regular for England's under-19 side this season, likely won't be Arsenal's last piece of business. Emirates chiefs have made progress in their move for 18-year-old Scottish midfielder Evan Mooney, who's set to join from St Mirren.
Arsenal had targeted a midfielder on deadline day after Mikel Merino was forced to undergo surgery, ruling him out for an 'extended period'. Asked whether the Gunners were looking to sign a replacement, Arteta told a press conference Monday: "We are on it.
"And it's our responsibility, when we are playing for what we are playing, to give ourselves the best opportunity and chance to look at the market, every option, evaluate them, and then make a decision whether we do something, if it's possible. When you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look.
GONDOMAR, PORTUGAL - MARCH 19: Jaden Dixon of England in action during the U18 men's international match between England and Czechia at Estadio de S. Miguel on March 19, 2025 in Gondomar, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Jaden Dixon is a five-time England under-19 international(Image: Octavio Passos - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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"And we need to do everything that we possibly can do to see if we have a player that is available, and if we don't, we keep what we have. At this level, especially for four months, you have to bring a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team.
"That is not easy, but if it was easy we would not be here. So we need to find solutions and try. We need players because we play every two, three days."