Arsenal ‘doing all they can’ to stop title rivals Man City signing Gunners midfield sensation
Arsenal are reportedly “doing all they can” to prevent midfield sensation Ethan Nwaneri from quitting The Emirates for Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
A recent report suggested that City are growing increasingly confident of landing the highly-rated 16-year-old this summer in what would be a big blow for the Gunners youth set-up.
Nwaneri can be poached by other clubs due to the fact that he cannot sign pro terms with Arsenal until March 2024, when he turns 17.
And while Mikel Arteta’s men would be due a compensation package, they are seemingly desperate to keep the player instead.
Indeed, Football Insider reports that a proposed exit for Nwaneri is not done and dusted just yet, despite strong interest from the current Premier League leaders.
City are currently scouring the market for the best young talent across Europe and have seemingly spotted an opening to land Nwaneri.
The Football Insider report adds that Chelsea also have an interest in the midfielder, who became Arsenal’s youngest-ever Premier League player earlier this season when he came off the bench against Brentford at just 15 years and 181 days old.
However, he has not featured in a senior squad since that record-breaking moment.
Nwaneri continues to impress at youth level though, scoring six goals and adding four assists in 26 combined appearances for the club’s Under-18s and Under-21s.
He has also been capped 12 times at England Under-17 level, scoring seven goals for the Three Lions.
Wilshere a big Nwaneri fan
Nwaneri has also earned high praise from former Gunners midfielder Wilshere, with the club’s Under-18 coach labelleing him “exceptional”.
The young midfielder’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset given that he can play centrally or out wide or even be utilised up front.
As for City, their youth academy has become a force in recent years, winning three consecutive league titles at Under-18 level, and they view Nwaneri as a player who can only enhance their squad further.
Arsenal and City resume their title battle this weekend when Pep Guardiola’s men head to Everton on Sunday before the Gunners then take on Brighton at The Emirates.
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