€12m market value 

Who is Sverre Nypan? Arsenal close in on 18-year-old wonderkid also wanted by Man City

©TM/IMAGO

Arsenal’s reliance on captain Martin Ødegaard’s creativity became all the more evident when the Norwegian missed around two months of the season with an ankle injury earlier in the campaign. The Gunners took just 11 points in the seven Premier League games he was out – and he has failed to show the consistency of previous seasons since his return. This January, to combat their dependency on Ødegaard, it looks as though Mikel Arteta’s team are closing in on signing one of his young compatriots, who has already drawn comparisons with Ødegaard himself. According to reports from The Athletic, Arsenal are working on a deal to sign 18-year-old midfielder Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg. Dialogue between the clubs and with the player’s representatives are rumoured to be advancing.

A firm decision on his future is yet to be made and no solid agreements are in place — meaning the situation remains open, with Manchester City and Aston Villa also reportedly pushing. The player was in attendance at the Etihad for Man City’s 3-1 win against Chelsea, but the Gunners remain the favourites for his signature. Already with a market value of €12 million, Nypan is regarded as one of the best prospects in Europe, having made his Norwegian league debut in 2022 aged just 15 – only six players have played at a younger age, with Ødegaard being the youngest. In May 2023, Nypan became the youngest player to score in a league match for Rosenborg at just 16 years and 145 days old. So what kind of prospect could Arsenal or Man City be signing? And how high is the ceiling for Nypan? With expert insight from Norway, we attempt to answer those questions.

What type of player is Sverre Nypan?

Remarkably, Nypan has already made 60 first-team appearances for Rosenborg, and he has an impressive record for a teenage midfielder. In those matches, he has scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists. In the league alone, he has averaged a goal or assist every 181 minutes – a terrific record for a central midfielder. “Nypan is a central/offensive midfielder with an exceptionally high football IQ for his age,” explained Batian Schmitz, Market Value admin for Norway. “He is two-footed, creative and has a good passing game – many of them are smart passes. He handles the ball well and also has a very good work rate.”

Market Value

S. Nypan

Central Midfield

€12.00m

At such a young age, Nypan’s final position still appears slightly undetermined. He has been used in a variety of roles in Norway as Schmitz reveals, “This season he has been used as a ‘false 9’ and as an attacking midfielder, although the deeper position suits him much better. His body appears to be still growing and he had a few growing problems at the start of the season which made it harder for him to get going. He showed fluctuating performances at that time.” According to Transfermarkt’s data, Nypan has played 37 games as a central midfielder, seven as a centre-forward and four as an attacking midfielder.

Will Arsenal beat Manchester City to Sverre Nypan signing?

While focus remains on Arsenal improving the depth in their frontline this January, the work on the wider future squad-building strategy continues at the Emirates. Arsenal have a renewed focus on recruiting global emerging talent, and Nypan meets that long-term criteria, as well as adding short-term depth to Arteta’s injury-hit squad, short on creativity. The winter transfer window falls during the Norwegian off-season, so this month was always earmarked for a possible move. Arsenal have a good relationship with Rosenborg and have sought to be respectful in their pursuit of Nypan, which they hope will enable them to close a deal. However, Man City very much remain in the hunt. 

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal, the City Group (Girona with a future move to Man City) and Aston Villa have all presented their project to Nypan, with the decision up to the player who’s taking his time to visit clubs and pick the best option. There’s no doubt the youngster is one of the most sought-after talents in Europe right now and whichever side manages to acquire his services could have a real gem on their hands. The next Ødegaard? We will have to wait and see.