Chelsea and Man City ‘battle to sign Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri’

Chelsea and Man City are reportedly battling to sign Arsenal‘s highly-rated youngster Ethan Nwaneri.

The midfielder became the youngest player in Premier League history at the age of 15 years and 181 days, when he came on during a 3-0 win over Brentford back in September 

Despite impressive in the youth ranks at the Emirates, the Gunners have a fight on their hands to keep the talented youngster at the club.

The Evening Standard report that Arsenal have until Friday to agree scholarship terms with Nwaneri – when his schoolboy registration runs out.

It’s claimed though that Chelsea and Man City are looking to capitalise on Arsenal’s deadline and bring one of the top young prospects in the country to their respective club. 

Mikel Arteta has a fight on his hands to keep the player he made the youngest player in Premier League history last season

Arsenal are said to have made an ‘attractive offer’ to their player, who can sign a professional contract when he turns 17 on March 21, 2024.

Mikel Arteta, academy manager Per Mertesacker and sporting director Edu have all been involved in talks, and the Gunners have tried to map out Nwaneri’s path to the first team. 

The Gunners lost one youngster to Chelsea last summer in the form of 18-year-old Omari Hutchinson. 

Should the Blues or treble-winners Man City win the services of Nwaneri, then Arsenal would be due a compensation payment.

The fact he made a Premier League appearance last season would mean they would receive a higher fee than if he hadn’t have come off the bench against Brentford. 

Arsenal have already convinced Nwaneri’s club and England U17 team mate Myles Lewis-Skelly to put pen to paper on a scholarship deal. 

Nwaneri made his Premier League debut at the age of 15 years and 181 days back in September