Ex-Liverpool hero John Arne Riise admitted he is hoping Arsenal transfer target Sverre Nypan chooses the Merseysiders over the Gunners.
Nypan, 18, has been frequently linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this year. The Rosenberg prospect is understood to have a price tag of around £10million on his head, but this figure could end up rising due to the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United also being linked.
The Norwegian prospect is expected to remain at his club when the January transfer window comes to an end. However, the interest will likely be reinvigorated by Mikel Arteta’s side and others in the summer.
Riise, who earned 110 caps for Norway, is hoping his young countryman chooses to move to Anfield. While speaking to Football London at Bet365’s Never Ordinary Watchalong in London this week, Riise said: “It’s a hard one, because he’s a very great talent, great player, technically very good box-to-box player.
“Obviously, with every big talent, especially the ones you want, should come to Liverpool. I think he could be really, really good. You can compare a lot to Martin Odegaard when he was young, from Norway to Madrid and all that kind of stuff. We’ll see what he does.
(Image: Hatch Group)
“He has a dad around him and agents around him who take control, but obviously, the biggest players, the best players, the youngest talents, we want at Liverpool for sure.” Riise’s praise will no doubt be exciting for Arsenal, who are hoping to land a player dubbed the ‘next Martin Odegaard’ under the noses of their rivals.
Nypan has already amassed four international caps for Norway. The dynamic centre-midfielder broke onto the scene when he scored his first goal, becoming the youngest player in its history to score in a league match, aged 16 years and 145 days.
He was also only 15 years old when he signed for Rosenberg in 2022. As well as central midfield, he also starred as a striker and in attacking midfield. Fans of the north Londoners were excited when reports of discussions between the Gunners and his representatives were said to be in motion. Moreover, the Nordic star was also reportedly spotted in London, adding more fuel to the rumours.
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal are blessed for options in midfield with the likes of Declan Rice, Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, and more. However, Arteta has traditionally targeted younger stars with high potential and Nypan is exactly the profile of player he usually looks to add to his squad.
Although Nypan is a midfielder, he is also a scoring threat, having contributed eight goals and seven assists in 28 appearances in all competitions in 2024. With the Norwegian youngster now expected to move to a new club in the summer – and spend time bedding in wherever he does go rather than being thrown right in the deep end – Arteta will likely turn his attention to attackers over the coming days with the Gunners light in the forward department.
Arsenal are yet to make any new additions in the January transfer window despite suffering lengthy injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Before the Gunners’ 2-1 away victory over Girona in the Champions League, Arteta admitted the club would benefit from a new face at centre-forward. When asked if the club needs another striker, the Spaniard said: “Well, there are situations open and I always say the same.
“If we can improve the squad with players that can impact us for now, for the future, we will try to do that if it is the best thing for the club – and I stand on that.”
John Arne Riise was speaking on behalf of bet365, Official Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League. To celebrate the partnership, bet365 is giving away free tickets to the knockout phases as part of The Big UEFA Champions League ticket giveaway. Visit www.bet365.com for more information.
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