Sources: Arsenal close in on Elijah Upson after Tottenham offers rejected

Arsenal are in "pole position" to sign Elijah Upson after he rejected a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur, Football Insider understands.

The 18-year-old has turned down several offers from Spurs, with the defender also considering interest from multiple Bundesliga clubs.

As it stands, Upson's current deal is set to expire at the end of the month, and sources understand that he is willing to make the controversial switch across North London.

It is believed that he has a number of offers on the table, including from Arsenal.

The academy gem has yet to make his senior debut for the Lilywhites, but he has made a good impression at Hotspur Way at youth level.

During the 2025-26 campaign, he appeared mainly for the Under-18s, but was also given chances by the Under-19s and Under-21s, even notching two goals and an assist in those matches.

Upson is now considering his options ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, though, and it would appear that the Gunners might be about to sign someone straight from Hotspur Way.

Upson has been with the Lilywhites since seven years of age, but it appears increasingly likely that he'll be playing in Arsenal colours next season.

There is history to be considered, though, with the player's father, Matthew Upson, making 57 appearances for the Gunners, including during the 2001-02 title-winning season.

His father also went on to play for West Ham United, Birmingham City and Brighton, while also winning 21 caps for the England national team.

Upson, 19, may want to follow in his father's footsteps, and this summer would represent the perfect chance for him to do so.

Some huge names have featured for both Spurs and the Gunners, so the pair of Upsons would not be alone at all in the footballing world.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Pat Jennings are all examples of players to play both sides of the North London derby.

Campbell and Adebayor are certainly two of the more controversial figures, but Upson is unlikely to get his name into that list, having only come through the Spurs academy.

The young talent could still give himself a new challenge in the Bundesliga, but right now, Arsenal are leading the race.