Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are interested in signing a brilliant Arsenal player who could become a free agent next summer, according to The Athletic.
#Arsenal teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri is attracting serious interest from top Premier League rivals and European giants amid uncertainty over his future at the Emirates, according to James McNicholas of The Athletic.
The 18-year-old Hale End graduate, whose contract expires in June 2026, is reportedly in delicate negotiations with Arsenal over a new long-term deal. While the Gunners are keen to secure his future, Nwaneri’s representatives are said to be seeking assurances over his playing time, especially after a late-season dip in minutes during the 2024/25 campaign.
Nwaneri made history in 2022 as the youngest-ever Premier League player at just 15 years and 181 days. This past season, he stepped into the spotlight with a breakout campaign, scoring nine goals and registering two assists across 37 appearances in all competitions. Highlights included a stunning strike in a 5-1 victory over Manchester City and a Champions League goal against PSV Eindhoven, making him the third-youngest scorer in the competition’s knockout rounds.
His stellar form earned him a call-up to England’s Under-21 squad, where he scored in a 4-2 win over Portugal and played a key role in the Young Lions’ UEFA Under-21 European Championship triumph.
Despite his rapid rise, Nwaneri has featured for only 42 minutes in Arsenal’s final eight matches following Bukayo Saka’s return from injury. The lack of consistent game time has reportedly raised concerns for his camp, particularly as Arsenal continue their pursuit of high-profile attacking players such as Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
With first-team opportunities potentially limited, clubs are circling. Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all monitoring the situation, while European powerhouses Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig are also interested. Chelsea’s involvement fits with their aggressive youth recruitment strategy under Clearlake Capital. Sources believe any transfer could cost between €80 and €100 million, placing Nwaneri among the most expensive teenagers in football history.
Still, Arsenal remain optimistic. The club sees Nwaneri as central to its long-term future and are hopeful he’ll follow in the footsteps of fellow academy star Myles Lewis-Skelly, who recently signed a new contract. As a North London native who joined the Gunners at the age of eight, Nwaneri has deep ties to the club, which could prove pivotal in negotiations.
Mikel Arteta has publicly praised the youngster’s maturity, calling him “calm and confident” after a Champions League goal in January. “At 17, scoring in the Champions League is not common,” Arteta said at the time. Former England international Joe Cole has also raved about Nwaneri’s talent, comparing his technique and close control to Lionel Messi following an impressive display against Leicester City.
However, Arteta’s cautious approach to integrating young players, prioritising long-term development over immediate starts has become a point of discussion. Arsenal’s decision-makers now face a delicate balancing act: securing one of their brightest homegrown stars while building a squad capable of competing for major honours.
Unless a deal is reached soon, foreign clubs will be free to open direct negotiations with Nwaneri from January 2026, adding further urgency to Arsenal’s efforts to tie him down.
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