According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal is hoping to persuade Ethan Nwaneri to agree to scholarship terms before his schoolboy registration expires on Friday.
When he came on against Brentford last September, the 16-year-old became the Premier League’s youngest player.
Arsenal values Nwaneri highly, but he faces competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.
Both clubs are keeping an eye on the teen midfielder’s situation, but academy manager Per Mertesacker, manager Mikel Arteta, and sporting director Edu have all stepped in.
The three are in talks to persuade the England under-17 international to stay with the Gunners.
Arsenal has made an enticing offer to Nwaneri, with whom he can sign professional terms once he reaches the age of 17.
They’ve attempted to chart a path to the first team for him, giving him his debut and occasionally involving him in first-team training.
Nwaneri joined the team during their mid-season training camp in Dubai last December.
In a pre-season friendly against Slough Town, he played for Mikel Arteta’s side and made his debut for the Gunners under-18s at the age of 14.
Nwaneri joined Arsenal at the age of nine and has progressed through the youth ranks, appearing for both the under-18s and under-21s last season.
He primarily plays as a number 10, but he can also play on both wings and in a box-to-box role.
Arsenal does not want to lose one of the country’s most promising young players, but the ball is in the player’s court.
If Nwaneri leaves, they will be entitled to compensation following a tribunal hearing.
Because he made his competitive debut, the North London club is likely to receive a higher fee, but convincing him to stay remains the plan.
