Manchester City is reportedly leading the race to sign Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri’s potential departure from the club has raised concerns with Arsenal’s retention policy. This is not the first instance where the Gunners are finding it difficult to retain a Hale End Academy graduate.
Despite starting for the senior team in the game against Brentford and being Arsenal’s youngest ever starter at the age of 15 years and 181 days, Nwaneri hasn’t played for Arsenal since then and may well leave the club before wearing Gunners’ senior jersey.
He has been followed by Chelsea for a while now but Arsenal’s policy of not signing an official contract before the age of 17 has given Manchester City a chance to swoop in and steal the midfielder.
Nwaneri’s departure will only raise questions to Arsenal’s power to retain talents especially after academy lads like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Balogun has risen up the ranks.
The 16-year-old midfielder has had a prolific under-18 season having scored 6 goals and assisting 4 in 26 games that he has played for the club. He has turned heads of many scouts making them rush to their owners and lure him into their team before he is 17 years of age.
Manchester City is known to lookout for the finest young talents have identified Nwaneri as their number one target of this window. And Nwaneri’s absence from the senior team after his debut has raised speculations about his future with the club; making way for teams like Man City and Chelsea to bid well.
Arsenal’s Under-18 coach Jack Wilshere has termed the youngster as exceptional. The same feeling echoes from club fans who love to see the star and his dancing feets.
The departure of Ethan Nwaneri to Manchester City could be beneficial for his future. Man City has the track record of nurturing young talents with the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho (currently at Manchester United), and Rico Lewis making the headlines.
We may soon add Ethan Nwaneri’s name to the aforementioned list.
