Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
James Quinlan

Chelsea and Man City eye Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri in transfer battle

Chelsea have been tipped to go head-to-head with Manchester City for the signature of rising 15-year-old Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri.

Back in October the young midfielder was handed his Gunners debut away to Brentford, making him the youngest player to ever feature in English top-flight history at 15 years and 181 days.

Since then Nwaneri has continued his development at youth level, scoring 7 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season, but has not featured for Mikel Arteta 's team in competitive play. This is likely no fault of his own, but more the fact that his club need all the experience they can get to stave off a City fightback in the ongoing Premier League title race.

READ MORE: Who is Ethan Nwaneri? Arsenal wonderkid named on bench for Brentford clash

According to the Secret Scout, Chelsea have been keeping a watchful eye on the player, and are interesting in prying the youngster away from their London rivals. Pep Guardiola 's side have also identified Nwaneri as one for the future, which could result in a battle behind the scenes if Arsenal do fail to keep hold of him.

Nwaneri is certainly a target that fits the profile of the Blues' youthful transfer approach since Todd Boehly's takeover. While there may be questions asked of the money involved, there is no doubting the club's rebuild is one with an air of excitement surrounding it.

If Nwaneri buys into this and does end up swapping the Emirates Stadium for Stamford Bridge, there will be the option to make the most of the Blues' youth infrastructure to boost his progress, with involvement in Graham Potter 's set-up a possibility - much like Carney Chukwuemeka since his arrival last summer.

Now the question will be if this supposed interest leads to anything concrete in the coming months, and of course if Arsenal are able to convince their man that they are the best option for his burgeoning career.

However, one card that Chelsea could play in their pursuit is their experience of the difficulties of keeping hold of youth players, as demonstrated by the Jude Soonsup-Bell saga last month, so could use that to their advantage when the roles are reversed.

READ NEXT:

Chelsea Graham Potter theory emerges after former Bayern Munich boss spotted at Stamford Bridge

Why Rio Ferdinand thinks Mykhailo Mudryk may already have been found out as Chelsea frustrated

What Thiago Silva demanded from Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea transfer mistake highlighted vs Fulham

Every word Graham Potter said on Aubameyang, Chelsea transfers, Mudryk issue and Fernandez

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.