CHELSEA and Manchester City want to sign Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, according to reports.
Nwaneri became the youngest ever Premier League player when he featured as a substitute against Brentford in September aged 15 years and 181 days.
He is highly regarded by the Gunners but they risk losing him amid interest from Premier League rivals.
Chelsea and City are amongst the clubs who are keeping tabs on Nwaneri, according to The Telegraph.
But Arsenal have not given up their hopes of keeping the youngster, who could agree scholarship terms with the club when he turns 16 on March 21.
Arsenal will be determined to avoid a repeat of last summer when they lost highly-rated academy prospect Omari Hutchinson to Chelsea.
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Unlike Nwaneri, Hutchinson was never given a first-team opportunity and Arteta’s faith in the teenager could influence him to stay.
Arteta said of his decision to play Nwaneri against Brentford: “I met the boy and really liked what I saw.
“Per Mertesacker and the academy staff gave me really good information about him as well.
“It’s another step, another experience. In your career all the steps are not going to be forward.
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“After that, maybe he needs three backwards to go another one forward, but as well I think it sends a really strong message about who we are as a club.”
Arsenal reportedly offer young players contracts based on add-ons and incentives, so a lucrative weekly wage could persuade Nwaneri to leave.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
