Arsenal closing in on new long-term deal for Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal are keen to secure the long-term future of Ethan Nwaneri amid concerns that the 18-year-old could be poached by other clubs.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are “closing in” on a new contract with Nwaneri that would run until 2030.

The proposed five-year deal would reward the teenager for his growing importance within the first-team squad, following his signing of a maiden professional contract at 17.

Having made his senior debut at just 15 years old, Nwaneri was permanently promoted to the first-team squad this season, alongside his close friend Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Ethan Nwaneri Shines in The Absence of Bukayo Saka

However, it has been the injury absence of Bukayo Saka since December that has given Nwaneri more consistent playing time, a chance the youngster has seized with both hands.

Ethan Nwaneri has scored eight goals in 29 appearances this season

The attacker, one of Arsenal’s most promising prospects, has scored eight goals in 29 appearances this season across all competitions.

Arsenal now find themselves in a situation where they have a key first-team player under a contract more suited to a future prospect.

Unsurprisingly, they are keen to secure his services for the long term, particularly given previous interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.

When Nwaneri made his debut in 2022, he became not only Arsenal’s youngest-ever player, breaking the record previously held by Cesc Fabregas but also the youngest to appear in England’s top flight – a record that had stood since 1964.

At the time, Nwaneri was just 15 years and 181 days old, meaning it would take a remarkably gifted prodigy to break that record at a younger age.