Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea are keeping a close eye on the contract situation of Arsenal teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Blues are ready to swoop if the highly rated 18-year-old fails to agree a new deal with the Gunners.
Nwaneri’s current contract, signed under FA rules that limit deals for underage players, is set to expire in the summer of 2026. Despite turning 18 in March, the Gunners have yet to finalise a long-term extension, leaving the door open for potential suitors.
After making headlines in 2022 as the youngest player in Premier League history at just 15 years and 181 days, Nwaneri enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 season under Mikel Arteta. The versatile forward made 37 appearances in all competitions, netting nine goals and contributing two assists. He particularly impressed during a run of starts in place of the injured Bukayo Saka, further enhancing his growing reputation. His performances were capped by a key role in England’s Under-21 European Championship victory this summer.
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According to Romano, Chelsea’s interest will only become concrete if Arsenal fail to reach an agreement with the player. Nwaneri is reportedly seeking assurances over regular first-team football before committing to a new five-year contract. These concerns have been heightened by Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of attacking reinforcements, including Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, with whom the Gunners have already agreed personal terms.
Arsenal - Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri (Image credit: Getty Images)
Romano clarified that the two situations are unrelated, stating on X: “Chelsea have been showing interest in Ethan Nwaneri situation, only in case new deal won’t be sealed with Arsenal. Nwaneri & Arsenal, in talks over new deal while player wants game time guaranteed. Separate deal from Madueke who agreed personal terms with Arsenal.”
Arsenal’s delay in locking down Nwaneri’s future stems from FA regulations, which prevented them from offering a long-term contract until he turned 18. Talks are now underway for a new deal that would keep him at the Emirates until at least 2030. Sources close to the negotiations remain hopeful, but the player’s camp is cautious, wary of increased competition for minutes should Arsenal land players like Madueke or Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
🚨🔵 Chelsea have been showing interest in Ethan Nwaneri situation, only in case new deal won’t be sealed with Arsenal.
Nwaneri & Arsenal, in talks over new deal while player wants game time guaranteed.
Separate deal from Madueke who agreed personal terms with Arsenal. 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/yDjopPHTNK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2025
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is understood to be a strong admirer of Nwaneri’s talent and views him as a potential long-term replacement for Madueke, who appears open to a move across London. The Blues have a history of poaching young Arsenal talent, having signed Omari Hutchinson from the Gunners’ academy in 2022. However, Hutchinson has struggled to break into Chelsea’s senior setup, a factor Nwaneri’s camp will be weighing carefully.
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Interest in the young forward is not limited to Chelsea. Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and RB Leipzig are all reportedly monitoring his situation, with foreign clubs eligible to begin pre-contract talks with him as early as January 2026 should no extension be signed.
Arsenal, under new sporting director Andrea Berta, have made Nwaneri’s contract renewal a top priority alongside securing long-term deals for key players like Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. Manager Mikel Arteta has consistently spoken highly of Nwaneri, describing him as “exceptional” and integrating him more closely into the senior squad.
However, with interest mounting from top clubs across Europe and the growing threat of losing him to a direct Premier League rival, Arsenal must now act decisively to safeguard the future of one of their most promising academy graduates.
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