Exclusive: Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven attracting Eintracht Frankfurt interest ahead of contract decision | OneFootball

Exclusive: Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven attracting Eintracht Frankfurt interest ahead of contract decision | OneFootball

Icon: Evening Standard

Evening Standard

·14 January 2025

Exclusive: Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven attracting Eintracht Frankfurt interest ahead of contract decision

Article image:Exclusive: Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven attracting Eintracht Frankfurt interest ahead of contract decision

Heaven’s scholarship terms expire in the summer and he has not yet signed a professional contract

Ayden Heaven made his senior Arsenal debut in October


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Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Heaven is yet to sign a professional contract with Arsenal and his scholarship terms expire this summer.

The Gunners are keen to keep hold of the 18-year-old, who came through the academy with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Heaven made his debut for Arsenal earlier this season against Preston in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Eintracht Frankfurt have now expressed an interest in the centre-back, who they could sign in the summer when his scholarship terms with Arsenal expire.

Arsenal would be due some form of compensation if Heaven left given he was developed by their academy.

The 18-year-old was part of the same scholarship group as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, representing England at Under-19 level alongside them.

Article image:Exclusive: Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven attracting Eintracht Frankfurt interest ahead of contract decision

Ayden Heaven came through the Arsenal academy with Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Heaven was involved in Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the US this summer and has trained regularly with the first team this season.

The teenager made his senior debut in October at Preston in the Carabao Cup after previously being on the bench.

Heaven was part of the squad that travelled to Porto last season in the Champions League, while he has also been on the bench for games against Manchester United and Tottenham.

The teenager is a left-footed defender and has impressed for Arsenal and England’s youth teams.

Heaven is also capable of playing at the base of midfield and he made 17 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-21 side last season. He also played five times in the UEFA Youth League.

He began his youth career at West Ham, joining them at the age of eight and spending four years there. He was let go at the age of 12 and spent a few months with Chelsea on trial.

The Blues did not keep Heaven on and he elected to join Arsenal after also attracting interest from Fulham.

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