One record-breaking Arsenal wonderkid is now on the verge of leaving the club as two Bundesliga sides are vying for his signature.
Chido Obi-Martin is one of the most talented players currently on the books at Arsenal.
Despite being just 16-years-old, and having never played a minute of senior football, the teenager has been in the headlines plenty of times already, and all for the right reasons.
An utterly prolific striker at youth level, Obi-Martin has been breaking records with regularity this season. The Hale End star recently overtook a record set by Folarin Balogun during his time in the Arsenal academy. Obi-Martin broke another Arsenal academy record when he bagged five goals in a game against West Ham United under-18s.
Mikel Arteta will surely be desperate for the Danish ace to remain at Arsenal. It seems that Obi-Martin is destined for big things after all, and the Gunners will be keen to see him realise his potential in North London.
Arsenal on verge of losing Chido Obi-Martin to Bayern Munich
However, it now seems that the young goal machine is set to be lured away from the Emirates Stadium.
According to Academy Scoop, reporting on X, Obi-Martin is about to “walk out” on Arsenal, having rejected the Gunners’ offer of scholarship terms, and is now in “advanced talks” with Bayern Munich, who are keen to take advantage of this situation.
Borussia Dortmund are also attempting to prise the Denmark under-17 international away from England.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will continue to negotiate with Obi-Martin, but the financial package tabled by Bayern Munich is unlikely to be matched by the Gunners.
Arsenal must show Chido Obi-Martin and other Hale End gems that progress is possible
It would be a huge blow to lose Obi-Martin given the levels of excitement that have grown around the player. Of course, there is no guarantee that he’d be able to make the step up to senior football at the highest level successfully anyway, but the Gunners will be keen to demonstrate that they can retain their top talents at youth level.
To that end, Arsenal are also trying to convince three other Hale End starlets to sign new contracts with the club. As things stand, Reuell Walters, Amario Cozier-Duberry, and Karl Hein are all set to become free agents in a matter of weeks.
There is a danger that youngsters on the books at Arsenal cannot see a pathway to the first team. Action needs to be taken to show the most promising players that the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Reiss Nelson does in fact exist for them.