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Arsenal have until Friday to agree a deal for Ethan Nwaneri amid interest from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, it has been claimed.
Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history last September when he came on during a 3-0 win over Brentford, aged just 15 years and 181 days.
However, the Gunners are on the cusp of losing the teenager, who under 18 boss Jack Wilshere described as “unplayable” following a 3-3 draw with Manchester United last December.
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Arsenal have until Friday — when his schoolboy registration runs out — to agree scholarship terms with Nwaneri.
According to the Evening Standard, the Gunners have made an attractive offer to the youngster, who can sign professional terms once he turns 17. Indeed, Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have all allegedly been involved in the talks.
Moreover, the Gunners have tried to map out Nwaneri’s path to the first team. Since being handed his first team debut last season the 16-year-old has trained with the senior side and taken part in Arsenal's mid-season training camp in Dubai.
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Nwaneri to Man City or Chelsea?
Arsenal will reportedly need to fight off competition from Chelsea and City — two clubs renowned as the highest payers when it comes to academy players — should they keep hold of Nwaneri.
Indeed, last summer Chelsea lured 18-year-old attacker Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal.
Should Nwaneri also be prized away, Arsenal will be due compensation after a tribunal hearing, and should receive a relatively high fee considering the midfielder has played for the first team.
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Arsenal have already convinced Nwaneri's club and England U17 teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly to put pen to paper on a scholarship deal.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, Arsenal, Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester City