Arsenal are in discussions to secure a new, enhanced deal for their rising star, Ethan Nwaneri, as a recognition of his rapid progress and potential.
According to TEAMtalk, the young midfielder has become an important part of Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans this season, and the club wants to reward him with a contract that aligns with his contributions and status.
Nwaneri has been a standout prospect for Arsenal ever since he made his debut back in 2022 at just 15 years old, setting a club record as the youngest player to represent the Gunners. Now 17, he signed his first professional contract in March 2023, and with his growing involvement in the team, Arsenal aims to give him a significant pay raise to match other first-team players.
This season, Nwaneri has made eight appearances across all competitions, netting three goals, including two from his Carabao Cup starts against Bolton and Preston. Arsenal sees him as a core player for the future, and after losing several academy talents last summer—like Chido Obi-Martin, Reuell Walters, and Amario Cozier-Duberry—they are keen to secure long-term commitments from their promising young players.
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Arteta has openly praised Nwaneri, whose involvement in first-team training and matches reflects the manager’s confidence in him. Although there was talk of a loan move for Nwaneri this season, the decision to keep him in North London is proving to be the right choice.
Following Nwaneri’s strong showing against Preston, Arteta expressed his admiration for the young talent: “He did it yesterday in training, so we’re getting used to that. He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, and he’s got the right players and context around him. We need to make sure we build brick by brick because we have some player there!”
Arteta also touched on how he aims to ensure Nwaneri’s growth isn’t hampered by pressure. He said, “He’s going to dictate how this goes. But I’m really, really happy with him. He wants to make every ball, he wants to make things happen.” Arteta noted that while Nwaneri is quiet around his teammates, his work ethic and love for the game shine through.
Elsewhere in transfer news, Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané as a potential addition to their squad. With Sané’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, Arsenal is considering him to fill the right-wing role. The Gunners have Raheem Sterling on loan for the season, but it seems unlikely they will make the move permanent, which could pave the way for Sané.
Arsenal will likely face strong competition for Sané’s signature, however, as Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly interested as well. If Sané becomes available as a free agent, the Gunners would jump at the chance, but they’ll need to act quickly to beat other top clubs.
In other squad updates, Arsenal is considering parting ways with Jakub Kiwior in January. The 24-year-old has struggled to find consistent playing time, and with the summer signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, Kiwior has slipped down the pecking order. Reports suggest Kiwior is growing frustrated and that Arsenal is open to selling him outright, rather than arranging a loan deal.
The Gunners have set an asking price of €20 million (about £16.7m) for Kiwior, and interest from clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Villarreal could spark movement in the winter transfer window.
Arsenal is focused on building a team that can compete for top honors on all fronts this season, and their transfer strategies reflect that goal. Whether it’s securing young talents like Nwaneri or exploring experienced options like Sané, Arsenal is shaping a squad for sustained success under Arteta’s leadership.
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