Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has responded to rumours linking him with a stunning move to Chelsea.
Reports have suggested that the Blues have floated the idea of having Dowman, 15, involved in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal for Noni Madueke, who would move in the opposite direction.
The Gunners want to sign Madueke and are expected to send an opening bid to Chelsea after agreeing personal terms with the talented 23-year-old England international.
But it has since emerged that Chelsea proposed the idea that Dowman could be included in a possible deal for Madueke. Dowman is one of the most talented young players in England right now, having scored 19 times and provided five assists in 22 matches for the club's Under 18s last season.
X account HandöfArsenal, who has 176,000 followers, shared to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday: "During preliminary talks for Noni Madueke the West London club floated the idea of involving wonderkid Max Dowman in any potential deal.
"The proposal was immediately rejected as Arsenal see him as their crown jewel. As reported yesterday, the fee is crucial to any deal."
Arsenal Fan TV, known as AFTV, soon posted about the report on Instagram, including a picture of the tweet and Dowman in background, followed with the caption: "What are they smoking over there at Chelsea?"
Dowman, who doesn't turn 16 until December, then proceeded to like AFTV's post, hinting that he is keen to remain at the Emirates Stadium, rather than making the move to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Dowman's father was among the others to respond to Chelsea's reported interest. In response to a tweet from Arsenal fan John Williamson, Robert Dowman appeared to say: "John. Arsenal are our club. You know that [oncoming fist emoji]."
Back in May, Arteta heaped praise on Dowman after he trained with Arsenal's first-team squad. While Dowman was unable to play for the Gunners last season due to starting the campaign below the age of 15, Arteta hinted that he could be involved more in the not-so-distant future.
Arteta said: "He trains with us a lot. Does that mean he will play in the Premier League many games? I don’t know; depends how good he is and how impressive he is and how much he offers the team like Ethan, like Myles, like any other player in the squad. Let’s see how this evolves but we certainly got a big, big talent there.
“I think he is in the right pathway and everybody in the academy has done an incredible job to consistently protect him, inspire him, challenge him, keep him always up and the levels that he could produce, and he is doing well. He is doing the right steps and taking it slowly. He will dictate how fast we go.”