EXCL: Man City now confident of signing Arsenal STAR player in the summer after rejecting Arsenal new contract
Man City are becoming increasingly confident of landing Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League leaders are scouring the market for the best young talent in England and Europe, and have spotted an opportunity to pounce for the 16-year-old.
Man City and Chelsea have been keeping tabs on Nwaneri’s situation for months, but it is the Citizens who are in pole position to agree a deal.
Nwaneri is yet to sign professional terms at Arsenal as he cannot do so until he turns 17.
The Gunners made him the youngest-ever Premier League player earlier this season when he turned out from the bench against Brentford at just 15 years and 181 days old
However, the midfielder has not featured for the first team since then and could now depart the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Nwaneri has starred in age-group games this season, notching six goals and four assists in 26 combined appearances for the Under-18s and Under-21s.
The London-born ace has turned out 12 times for England’s Under-17 side, scoring seven goals.
He can play in attacking midfield, on both flanks – and lead the line.
Speaking to football.london (3 April), Arsenal Under-18 coach Jack Wilshere branded Nwaneri “exceptional”.
Arsenal have produced the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun in their Hale End academy set up in recent years.
Meanwhile, Man City have nurtured players like Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Romeo Lavia – and have become a force in youth football in recent memory.
