EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd on course to land ex-Arsenal wonderkid Obi Martin

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 30 Aug 2024 11:04 BST
3 min read

Manchester United are just awaiting the final Premier League approval for the transfer of Chido Obi Martin, FootballTransfers has learned.

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Earlier reports suggested that Erik ten Hag's side faced legal hurdles in signing the Danish player on a free transfer, potentially requiring the matter to be settled in court.

However, sources within the club have stated this is wide of the mark. We understand that the deal for Obi Martin is progressing smoothly and is simply pending Premier League ratification, a standard step in the transfer process.

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When Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the Red Devils was ratified, he announced that the days of Man Utd trying to sign the likes of Kylian Mbappe were over. Instead, the INEOS billionaire wanted the club to unearth the 'next Kylian Mbappe.'

After Leny Yoro, Obi-Martin has now become the second signing in the mould of exactly what Ratcliffe was talking about. The striker is regarded as one of the biggest attacking prospects in England after netting 32 times for Arsenal's U18s last season. Next season, he will suit up for Man Utd.

Obi-Martin now with Man Utd

The Danish forward attained a deadly reputation at Arsenal due to his absurd scoring record at the youth level. In 2023, Obi-Martin scored ten goals in a single game against Liverpool. In April of this year, he found the back of the net seven times against Norwich.

Arsenal were desperate to keep him around and tie him down to a scholarship deal before making that contract professional on his 17th birthday in November, but the teenager decided to snub the Gunners.

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Arsenal's track record of giving academy talent a chance is not particularly impressive under Mikel Arteta, which will have surely influenced Obi-Martin's decision.

Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, has shown himself to be willing to trust youngsters and Obi-Martin chose Man Utd as his next club after touring Carrington.

The striker completed his medical on August 6 and, as things stand, will actually be Man Utd's third-choice striker for the new season, so he will see minutes with the first team, which is something that Arsenal could not guarantee.