Liverpool namechecked as Arsenal warned playmaker could LEAVE in January – ‘There’s interest’

Arsenal may have convinced Max Dowman to sign scholarship terms, but the attacking midfielder could still leave the Emirates Stadium in January, according to a transfer journalist, who has suggested Liverpool as a potential club that could come for him.

Dowman signed scholarship terms with Arsenal last week, according to The Athletic, which reported that a professional contract for the teenager will be finalised when he reaches 17.

‘It will secure Dowman for two years but once he reaches 16, on December 31, a professional deal can be offered and pre-agreed to take effect on his 17th birthday,’ adds the report.

The 15-year-old impressed in pre-season with Arsenal and made his Premier League debut for the north London outfit in a 5-0 win against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on August 23.

Dowman has played 27 minutes in the Premier League and 27 minutes in the Carabao Cup so far this season for Arsenal, who have high hopes for him.

While Arsenal are over the moon to have convinced Dowman, who has played 17 matches as an attacking midfielder, 10 games as a right winger and five times as a central midfielder in his career so far, to pen scholarship terms, transfer journalist Graeme Bailey believes that there is still a chance that he could leave in January.

While namechecking Liverpool and Chelsea as the two clubs who could theoretically move for Dowman in the New Year, Bailey has warned Arsenal fans not to get carried away.

Dowman will not be able to sign a professional deal with Arsenal until he turns 17 in December 2026.

Bailey told Arsenal Insider: “There’s only a limit to what a player on a scholarship can earn.

“There’s only a limit to what a player can get before he’s 17 or on a pro deal. He’s agreed terms on his scholarship, but that doesn’t secure him at Arsenal.

“I think people are going over the top here. I’m told Arsenal are massively playing this down.

“His people were not talking to any other club, they really weren’t. They’re Arsenal through and through at the minute.

“Clearly, they know there’s interest out there from other clubs, but some of the reporting is so wide of the mark.

“Him agreeing this does nothing to stop a Chelsea or Liverpool from, in theory, taking him in January.

“A scholarship essentially means nothing, and I think people are getting a bit ahead of themselves.

“That’s not to say Dowman wants to go anywhere, it’s just that the reporting is going a bit strong on him being completely signed up for the long-term already.”

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Should Arsenal fans worry about Max Dowman?

Until and unless Dowman has signed a professional contract with Arsenal, there will be concerns among the Gunners’ fans.

However, all indications are that the teenager is not angling for a move away.

Dowman signing scholarship terms with Arsenal indicates that he sees his long-term future at the Premier League giants.

Moreover, Dowman’s entourage has already turned down approaches from Chelsea and Barcelona.

Hand of Arsenal, an Arsenal In The Know (ITK) posted on X at 6:15pm on October 23: “The whole Dowman family including Max were going crazy at the Bernabéu when we bopped Madrid. He was never leaving.

“Massive shoutout to his father who told every club including Barca and Chelsea to not even consider an approach because..

“’Arsenal is our club’

“Hale End.”

What Mikel Arteta and Cristhian Mosquera have said about Max Dowman

Dowman is rated very highly by Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta and defender Cristhian Mosquera raving about him.

Mosquera told The Athletic on October 15: “I don’t mean to compare, but his style and way of playing is like Lamine Yamal. His movements are Lamine-esque.

“I didn’t have him on my radar and when I got to Singapore, he was already training and playing.

“When they told me he was 15, I couldn’t believe it. He really is an incredible player, and I think he’s going to be world-class.”

Goal quoted Arteta as saying about Dowman’s nutmegs in training on September 23: “At the beginning, they responded immediately – kick him! That was the first one.

“And Max, to be fair, he was excellent, stood up and got into the next one.

“You can really take it personally, for someone who was 14 last year, at some point when he was doing certain things to players, and now everybody loves him.”

Arteta added: “You just want to hug him, help him. He’s such a nice boy as well and he’s very much liked by everybody here and just looking after us.

“It brings responsibility to look after somebody with that talent and make sure we just do what we have to do to make sure we’re given the best chance to exploit his talent, that’s all.”

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Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s one-word verdict on a Real Madrid star has dashed all hopes of an Arsenal transfer.

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