{"id":17104,"date":"2026-07-14T02:22:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T02:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17104"},"modified":"2026-07-14T02:22:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T02:22:12","slug":"tottenham-lose-highly-rated-academy-starlet-to-arsenal-in-nightmare-poaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17104","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham lose highly-rated academy starlet to Arsenal in nightmare poaching"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In a huge blow, Tottenham Hotspur have lost a highly-rated academy winger to their North London rivals Arsenal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tottenham have been busy adding to their first team this summer ahead of Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s first season in charge, and they are also simultaneously looking to add some top young talent to their academy this summer.<\/p>\n

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The Lilywhites secured the services of the highly rated Cole Ramsey last week following his exit from Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Tottenham are pushing ahead with a move for Wolves prospect Kwasi Senyah, while sources indicate that Spurs are also looking to secure 16-year-old Man City starlet Xavier Parker.<\/p>\n

However, the Lilywhites have now seen their own academy being raided by their rivals.<\/p>\n

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Photo by David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elijah Upson leaves Tottenham\u2019s academy to sign for Arsenal<\/h2>\n

It first emerged a few weeks ago that Arsenal had stepped up their pursuit of a Spurs academy defender, Elijah Upson, who is the son of the former Gunners and West Ham centre-back, Mathew Upson.<\/p>\n

The Daily Mail\u2019s Simon Jones has now taken to social media to confirm that the 18-year-old defender has indeed chosen to join Tottenham\u2019s North London rivals.<\/p>\n

Jones revealed that Mikey Arteta\u2019s side beat out Chelsea, Manchester City, and Everton, as well as several European clubs for the player\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n

The journalist wrote on X: \u201cElijah Upson has chosen to join Arsenal after leaving Spurs. The 18-year-old son of former England defender Matthew had offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Leverkusen and Monaco.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Elijah Upson has chosen to join Arsenal after leaving Spurs. The 18-year-old son of former England defender Matthew had offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Leverkusen and Monaco. Follow all today’s transfer developments @MailSport pic.twitter.com\/v06e9qhhmj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Simon Jones (@SimonJones_DM) July 10, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Spurs fail with efforts to poach Arsenal academy winger<\/h2>\n

Reports were doing the rounds last week that Spurs had won the race for 18-year-old Kyran Thompson after he departed Arsenal\u2019s academy earlier this summer.<\/p>\n

However, the teenage winger was subsequently spotted at Newcastle Internaitonal Airport a few days ago, and it emerged that Tottenham had been surprised by rumours that Thompson was set to join Newcastle.<\/p>\n

It has now been confirmed that Spurs have missed out on the winger, with Fabrizio Romano giving his \u2018here we go\u2019 to the teenager\u2019s move to the Magpies.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udea8\u26aa\ufe0f\u26ab\ufe0f EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle agree deal to sign England U17 winger Kyran Thompson from Arsenal Academy, here we go!<\/p>\n

Thompson has agreed to join #NUFC among five proposals, leaving Arsenal as free agent.<\/p>\n

Deal in place and new talent for Newcastle. pic.twitter.com\/sJNqtQn9co<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n