Manchester United transfer negotiators won’t be popular at the Emirates right now after two wonderkids ditched Arsenal for the club over the past 12 months.
As part of Ineos’ transfer strategy, Manchester United have been signing talented teenagers from around the world.
This has been part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s desire to sign stars of the future, or the next Kylian Mbappe, as he put it back in 2024, with some talents who have the potential to be among the best in the league in the future.
Several wonderkids have arrived from across the globe, with 18-year-old Diego Leon officially joining United as the latest youngster to make the move to Old Trafford.
Despite worldwide recruitment, United have raided Arsenal on two separate occasions for players who are already showing plenty of promise in a red shirt. First, last summer, United signed Chido Obi when his Arsenal contract expired.
While in January, Jason Wilcox followed this up perfectly as United paid £1.5m to take Ayden Heaven up north. But of these signings are already viewed as successes, with both first-team players under Ruben Amorim.
Ethan Nwaneri in Arsenal training jacket and bib.
Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Arsenal contract talks over Ethan Nwaneri stalling
Arsenal will be gutted to have lost the two talents as they continue to prove themselves ready for first-team football. However, the Gunners will now be concerned over the prospect of losing a wonderkid who is already established under Mikel Arteta.
This comes according to The Athletic, which has provided an update on the contract situation around Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal ahead of his 2026 expiry.
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It is claimed that despite less than 12 months remaining on his contract, Nwaneri and Arsenal remain at odds over a new contract.
Nwaneri currently wants to stay at Arsenal, while the club also doesn’t want to lose the talent; however, talks are described as being at a ‘delicate stage’ for a number of reasons.
The 18-year-old is concerned about his playing time, which diminished toward the end of last season. Talks, however, could accelerate at any point, but with Arsenal looking to sign a new winger and creative midfielder, there is concern, additionally, with the impending breakthrough of Max Dowman over the next 24 months.
Arsenal will know that Nwaneri has suitors in the Premier League and abroad, making it pivotal to sort out his situation this summer.
United fans have seen this story and are convinced that the club should be looking to make it a hat-trick of wonderkids taken from Arsenal.
Manchester United fans want Ethan Nwaneri to follow Chido Obi
Nwaneri will know Obi and Heaven well, which could give United an advantage in any attempt to sign him. Under the report on X, United fans were making it known that they wanted Nwaneri at Old Trafford.
One fan wrote: “@ManUtd you know what to do.”
Another added: “This is where Manchester United comes in… @ManUtd sign him please”.
A third supporter commented: “Garnacho replacement. Wouldn’t mind another off them after Heaven.”
“United will take him on a free, just like Obi and Heaven”, another supporter predicted.
While one comment sent a message to United’s director of football: “Jason Wilcox, over to you. Do what you do best.”
Finally, one supporter brought up the ace card Ineos could play: “United 100% need to have Chido and Heaven in his ear.”