Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri.
The midfielder, who was born in 2007, became the Premier League’s youngest player when he came on as a substitute against Brentford at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
Ethan Nwaneri surpassed the previous record of Harvey Elliott, who made his top-flight debut for Fulham at the age of 16 years and 30 days, when he came in in second-half injury time in that 3-0 rout.
The teenager, who typically plays as a number 10, has also earned England Under-16 and Under-17 caps and has quickly advanced through Arsenal’s development divisions.
Nwaneri’s historic Premier League appearance has piqued the curiosity of other clubs, and according to The Secret Scout, up to four clubs are interested in poaching him from the Emirates.
Big months ahead. As Man United, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea look to sign Ethan Nwaneri
Will this help Arsenal chances. Only time will tell pic.twitter.com/YZLPNLB9fK
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) September 18, 2022
Man United, Chelsea Among Clubs Interested In Ethan Nwaneri?
Manchester United and Chelsea are thought to be monitoring Nwaneri’s progress, while Manchester City and Liverpool are also interested in the 15-year-old.
Chelsea raided Arsenal’s youth system in the summer to acquire Omari Hutchinson from their London rivals, after the Jamaica international failed to secure a new contract with the Gunners.
Meanwhile, both Manchester City and Liverpool are thought to have been monitoring Bukayo Saka’s contract situation, but the 21-year-old is now set to commit to a new contract at the Emirates.
Ethan Nwaneri has four goals and four assists in nine outings for Arsenal’s Under-18s. He made his Under-21 debut on September 3 against Blackburn Rovers, playing 59 minutes and setting up a goal for Charles Sagoe Jr.
Related: Granit Xhaka Says ‘Ethan Nwaneri Is A Very, Very Special Talent’
After making Nwaneri the Premier League’s youngest player ever, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta explained that he went with his “gut feeling” and gave the teenager his first minutes at the top level.
“It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy (and) really liked what I saw. Per Mertesacker and the academy staff are giving me really good information, Edu as well,” Arteta told reporters at his post-game press conference.
“If you’re going to be on that bench you have to be ready. The boy just looks in your eyes and he’s ready. I don’t know what it is for him. When I met him, when I look at him, I had that feeling.”
COMMENTS