Arsenal are now at risk of losing a record-breaking academy talent to Bayern Munich and European clubs in a free transfer due to the Football Association’s contract rules.
The Hale End production line has produced a wealth of future stars over the years, including Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. But Arsenal face a fight to keep their next wonderkid in north London as the FA’s rules leave them exposed to European teams exploiting a loophole.
English clubs cannot give players a professional contract until their 17th birthday. It also saw Ethan Nwaneri only commit his future to Arsenal this March, putting pen to paper one week after his 17th birthday. But the Gunners must wait until November to tie another gem down.
Arsenal speak with Chido Obi-Martin’s agents to fend off Bayern Munich’s interest
That is according to The Telegraph, which reports Arsenal face a fight to keep Chido Obi-Martin. The 16-year-old has put teams across Europe on alert after a record-breaking run in their U18 squad under Jack Wilshere. Bayern Munich are one of the squads now interested.
Arsenal have held negotiations with the representatives of Obi-Martin to signal their intent to retain the striker. But his future is very uncertain as the Denmark U17 talent also has an EU passport. So, teams in the European Union can sign Obi-Martin for FIFA’s set compensation.
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Bayern Munich and their European rivals are not restricted like Arsenal in what type of deal they can offer Obi-Martin. He can secure a professional contract right away by signing for a European side again, having left the Danish side Kjobenhavns Boldklub for Arsenal aged 14.
Chido Obi-Martin is breaking records in Jack Wilshere’s Under-18 side
Obi-Martin also appointed Elite Project Group to represent him recently, which is the same agency that oversaw Jadon Sancho’s original switch to Borussia Dortmund. So, Arsenal will hope their early signal of intent convinces Obi-Martin to wait to get a professional contract.
The Glostrup, Denmark-born talent has been prolific this season, with Wilshere even hailing Obi-Martin for being ‘on fire’ recently. He boasts a staggering 28 goals in 16 games for their Under-18 side. Mehmet Ali also handed Obi-Martin his Premier League 2 debut in October.
Obi-Martin is also the first Arsenal schoolboy to score at least 20 goals with their U18s since Rhys Murphy in 2006/07. His haul of seven goals in a 9-0 win over Norwich City’s U18s even saw Obi Martin beat Folarin Balogun’s single-term Arsenal U18 goal record of 25 in 2018/19.
But Arsenal risk Bayern Munich or a European team exploiting a loophole in the FA’s rules to sign Obi-Martin. It would be a brutal loss for the Gunners’ academy given their prospect has now scored three or more goals in five U18 Premier League appearances already this term.