Upon reaching his seventeenth birthday on March 21st, the 16-year-old prospect is poised to ink a professional deal with London-based club, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Within the next fortnight, Nwaneri’s current scholarship agreement, which had sparked intense competition among various Premier League outfits, is set to transition into a fully-fledged professional contract.
Reports suggest that Chelsea had also expressed keen interest in securing the services of the talented attacking midfielder, while Manchester City reportedly tabled a “substantial” offer in their pursuit of him.
Notably, the 2007-born player stands on the precipice of signing an unprecedented contract with his current club, Arsenal, which would see him become the recipient of the highest wage ever awarded to an academy player in the club’s storied history.
Under the tutelage of manager Mikel Arteta and the club’s leadership, Nwaneri has earned widespread acclaim for his remarkable development since joining the academy ranks back in 2016.
His meteoric rise was highlighted last season when, at just 15 years and 181 days old, he etched his name into the annals of football history as the youngest-ever Premier League player, making his professional debut for Arsenal in a resounding 3-0 triumph over Brentford.
Throughout the current campaign, the English-Nigerian prodigy has been a fixture in the senior matchday squad, making six appearances across various competitions.
Notably, his impact was felt in Arsenal’s emphatic 6-0 drubbing of West Ham United, where he entered the fray as a second-half substitute, showcasing his burgeoning talent on the grand stage.
Across 13 appearances in both the under-19 and under-21 teams, Nwaneri has demonstrated his versatility and prowess, contributing three assists and an impressive tally of 13 goals.
The prospect of him extending his tenure with the Gunners will undoubtedly elate the club’s faithful supporters, who have been fervently advocating for his continued involvement in the first team.
As anticipation builds surrounding Nwaneri’s imminent professional contract, the Arsenal faithful remain hopeful that manager Arteta will afford the youngster ample opportunities to showcase his prodigious talent and further solidify his place in the club’s illustrious history.
