Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated teenage forward Mylo Bernard following the expiry of his schoolboy registration with Crystal Palace.
According to The Athletic, the 16-year-old is now set to make the move across London after Arsenal stepped up their pursuit of the England youth international this summer.
Bernard’s previous registration with Crystal Palace has expired, meaning Arsenal can recruit him through a training compensation agreement rather than negotiating a conventional transfer fee.
Arsenal had been pushing to secure Bernard since at least July, when Crystal Palace were also reported to have offered the youngster improved terms in an attempt to keep him in south London.
The forward has now chosen Arsenal and is expected to initially join the club’s academy set-up, adding another highly-regarded prospect to the Hale End ranks.
Bernard attracted attention after making the step up from Crystal Palace’s Under-16s to their Under-18 side during the 2025/26 campaign.
He made an immediate impression on his Under-18 Premier League debut against Leicester City last November, scoring after just four minutes as Palace recorded a 4-2 victory.
His most eye-catching performance came against Reading in March, when Bernard scored a hat-trick to inspire Palace to another 4-2 win despite his side having fallen 2-1 behind during the second half.
Bernard’s progress has also been recognised at international level, with the forward establishing himself in England’s Under-16 set-up during 2026.
He was selected for England’s February camp in Turkey before again making Barry Lewtas’ squad for matches against the United States, Argentina and Mexico in Florida in April.
The agreement represents another investment in Arsenal’s longer-term recruitment strategy rather than an addition intended to immediately strengthen Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.
Arsenal have continued to look beyond their own academy for some of the country’s most promising teenagers, with the club seeking to ensure Hale End remains competitive for elite young talent.
Bernard should now have opportunities with Arsenal’s Under-18s, while his performances will determine how quickly he can progress towards Under-21 football.
The move also represents a notable academy loss for Crystal Palace after Bernard had already demonstrated that he could perform above his age group.
For Arsenal, securing an England youth international from another established London academy provides another promising attacking prospect whose development can now continue at Hale End.