Arsenal are set to strengthen their academy sides with further youth recruitment this summer, and are about to poach a talent from their rivals.
Chelsea have spent heavily in the transfer market in the last two years with little to show for it on the pitch, and their excessive recruitment has meant that their youth players could move on due to a lack of opportunities.
Arsenal are set to recruit more top young talents to boost the academy, with Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar and Per Mertesacker keen on seeing the quality of talent produced by the club improving.
One such player appears to be 15-year-old wonderkid Ryan McAidoo. The winger, who can also play in midfield, is a promising young talent, and he could be about to switch sides in London as Arsenal have now made an offer for him.
Arsenal make offer for Chelsea wonderkid Ryan McAidoo
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Arsenal are the frontrunners for McAidoo’s signature, with the teenager expected to leave Chelsea this summer, and that the Gunners have already made an offer for him.
“Arsenal made proposal and they are currently leading the race to sign Ryan McAidoo, 2008 born talented forward. He’s expected to leave Chelsea this summer; best project proposal so far came from Arsenal. McAidoo played for England U16 and U17 this season,” he posted on X.
Ryan McAidoo to follow in Arsenal footsteps of Declan Rice and Eddie Nketiah?
If McAidoo does join Arsenal, he will not be the only former Chelsea youth product in the squad. Declan Rice and Eddie Nketiah both came through the ranks at Cobham before they were released at a young age.
Rice moved to West Ham whilst Nketiah went to Arsenal, and both are now teammates for a title-challenging side.
Arsenal appear to be keen on capitalising on Chelsea’s current situation to try and bring in the best youth talents to revamp the academy.
Omari Hutchinson was a sore one for Arsenal as he left for Chelsea in a surprise move two years ago, and could now make a £20m transfer to Ipswich Town. There is also worry that striking sensation Chido Martin-Obi could depart after a record-breaking season.
Recruiting top talents like McAidoo from rival teams will therefore provide a big boost to Arsenal, and if he does join, it shows that young players do see a pathway to first-team action in Arteta’s project.