EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal set to hand wonderkid Nwaneri fresh deal

Steve Kay

Updated: 11 Aug 2024 12:02 BST
3 min read

Arsenal are in discussions with Ethan Nwaneri over a five-year contract, FootballTransfers can reveal.

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Currently, 17-year-old Nwaneri is signed with Arsenal until 2026—a contract he penned in March, the maximum allowed due to his age. Under current regulations, players can only commit to longer contracts once they turn 18.

However, sources inform us talks have already begun regarding an extended and improved deal once Nwaneri hits that milestone, potentially keeping him at the Emirates until at least 2030.

The midfielder made headlines last season when he became the youngest player in Premier League history, debuting at just 15 years and 181 days old against Brentford.

Current ETV

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C)

Arsenal U18

Ethan Nwaneri

M (C)

Arsenal U18

ETV Range

€3.4M - €5.6M

Will Ethan Nwaneri will get game time next season?

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri will get minutes in the first team next season if they continue their trajectory, according to Mikel Arteta.

Lewis-Skelly was originally a midfielder but has been adapting to a new role as a left-back. His versatility was on display when he replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at halftime against Leverkusen.

Nwaneri entered the game with approximately 30 minutes remaining, taking over from Martin Odegaard.

Arteta has on gone record to say that Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly will get game time this season should they both continue excelling.

© IMAGO - Mikel Arteta is hoping to develop the youngsters

The pair earned minutes during pre-season and now the Spanish boss has opened the chance of them featuring in the Premier League for the upcoming campaign.

After the Gunners' impressive 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium, Arteta said: “If they continue like they are doing right now. There is no difference whether they come from the academy or we sign them from Germany or Argentina or Italy.

“If they are showing the quality that they have, the personality they have to play at this level…let’s see. Why would we put any restrictions? If they deserve minutes, they get minutes.”