Released Arsenal academy star has already received offer from Portugal as new club eye free transfer

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have released 20 players across their men’s team, women’s team and academy this summer as part of another huge window of change.

For some, there has already been confirmation of their next club, as Kieran Tierney returns to Celtic and Jorginho joins Flamengo.

For others, there is a bit of a longer wait as they figure out what journey lies for them beyond Arsenal in the years ahead.

While news of the Arsenal retained list hasn’t been out for that long, one Hale End academy star has already received an offer to join a new club.

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal contract expiry date and players set for 2026 summer exit

Khayon Edwards receives an offer to play in Portugal after Arsenal exit

One Arsenal academy star who is leaving at the end of the month is striker Khayon Edwards.

The 21-year-old has been at the club for most of his life, joining at a pre-academy stage, aged just five years old.

Edwards featured heavily at under-18s and under-21s level for Arsenal, scoring plenty of goals before his first senior opportunity on loan at Leyton Orient in 2024.

• GET TO KNOW KHAYON EDWARDS: Who is Khayon Edwards? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal academy striker from age to stats

However, without a goal in his seven appearances, a return to the Gunners came and went as he was one of several players to be released this summer.

Now, as a free agent, reports from O Jogo claim that Portuguese Estoril Praia have made a contract offer to the striker for a new opportunity.

The move is yet to be made official, with it unclear whether Edwards will definitely sign with the club for his first experience outside of England.

However, if it does go through, then Arsenal won’t lose the youngster for free, despite releasing him.

• READ MORE: Better than Ronaldo and Messi, Viktor Gyokeres excels at one thing that could be a problem for Arsenal

Will Arsenal receive a fee for Khayon Edwards?

While Arsenal released Khayon Edwards this summer, there is a chance that the Gunners could receive a small sum for the youngster.

Current rules state that players under 23 who train for a club will give that club the entitlement to a compensation fee for training them.

The player must have signed a professional contract to be eligible, which Edwards did back in 2022.

It becomes complicated when dealing with clubs abroad, meaning that Arsenal may find it tough to land the compensation without it dragging out.

In this instance, the Gunners may well settle for no fee or even a sell-on for wherever Edwards moves onto next.