Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have finally agreed a deal to keep record-breaking youngster Ethan Nwaneri at the club despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, it has been revealed.
In a major boost to the Gunners, Nwaneri is now set to pen fresh scholarship terms with the club as well as agreeing a professional contract when he becomes eligible for one.
Widely regarded as one of the most talented youngsters in the country, Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut as a late substitute against Brentford in September, aged just 15 years, 5 months and 23 days old.
He has since been a part of the Arsenal youth setup rather than the first team, but is yet to sign a senior contract due to being under 17, and it has led to interest from other Premier League sides.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City were thought to be keen on luring him away from the Emirates Stadium this summer. However, the Athletic report that Nwaneri ‘is signing scholarship forms with Arsenal and agreed to a professional deal for when he turns 17 in March 2024’, which will likely see him remain in north London for at least another four years.
They add that despite reports to the contrary, ‘he [Nwaneri] never had any intention of leaving and turned down more lucrative offers to stay’.
