pascal-de-maesschalck-arsenal
Arsenal’s recruitment drive isn’t just about the first team this summer. The club have reportedly agreed a deal to bring in Crystal Palace’s 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard, continuing a busy window for the academy setup.
Because Bernard’s contract at Palace had run out, this isn’t a transfer fee situation, Arsenal will only be on the hook for training compensation, the standard payment due when a young player moves between academies after their existing deal expires. It’s a far simpler process than negotiating with a selling club, which is part of why this one looks set to be wrapped up quickly.
The Athletic’s James McNicholas is the source on this one, reporting that Bernard has given the move his blessing. Arsenal had been strongly linked with the striker for a while, though it’s worth noting this summer hasn’t been a clean sweep on the academy front, the club also chased young forwards Igor Tyjon and James Wilson without success.
Why Arsenal like Mylo Bernard
🚨🎥| 🔥💣 This is 16-years-old Mylo Bernard balling like a Veteran Striker with 30 years experience.
Crystal Palace wants to keep him after offering a new contract, but Arsenal knows a Superstar when they see one.
— GRIM (@grimshub) July 22, 2026
Bernard’s numbers make the interest easy to understand. Despite still being young enough for under-16 football, he was already getting regular under-18 minutes last season, and made them count, six goals in 708 minutes in the U18 Premier League is a strong return by any standard. He’s also on England’s radar at youth level, with four goals and two assists in eight appearances for the under-16s.
Gunners continue to build the academy
Bernard would join a growing list of academy additions this summer, following Elijah Upson’s arrival from Tottenham and Axel Donczew’s move from Cardiff City. Arsenal’s youth pathway has increasingly become a selling point in these kinds of deals, and adding a proven goalscorer at this age group fits the pattern.
If everything’s finalised as expected, Bernard should be available in time for the new U18 Premier League season, which kicks off this weekend with Arsenal away at West Brom. Not the kind of signing that makes headlines on its own, but exactly the sort of quiet, sensible business that can pay off years down the line.
Related Items:Crystal Palace, Mylo Bernard