Arsenal face a battle on their hands as clubs attempt to sign a prodigal Hale End talent in Chido Obi-Martin.
The 16-year-old is wanted by clubs including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund following his record-breaking campaign with the Arsenal under-18s, which saw him score 32 goals in 20 league games.
It was recently reported that Obi-Martin’s decision over his future would be decided over whether he feels he has a clear pathway to become a first-team player at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is keen on keeping the Danish forward at the club, but he faces a battle on his hands. However, the sale of striking sensation Mika Biereth should now convince Obi-Martin to stay.
Arsenal sell striker Mika Biereth to Sturm Graz
The Standard have now reported that Arsenal have agreed a deal to sell Mika Biereth to Austrian Champions SK Sturm Graz.
Biereth spent the second half of last season on loan at the Austrian Bundesliga side, and his outstanding performances helped them win a historic title.
A fee in the region of £4m has been agreed, after months of speculation over whether he would stay at Arsenal, go out on loan again or leave permanently.
This deal has seen Arsenal part ways with a bright talent branded “unbelievable” in recent months, but it should convince Obi-Martin that he has a future at Arsenal.
Arsenal clearing pathway for Chido Obi-Martin
Biereth leaving, a year after Folarin Balogun departed, has cleared a pathway for future first-team action for Obi-Martin.
Eddie Nketiah is also expected to depart, with interest from several clubs in the striker.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will share striker duties, as it now appears that a natural centre-forward such as Viktor Gyokeres may not arrive this summer.
This means that in the coming seasons, if Obi-Martin continues to develop at his current rate, he could find himself in matchday squads as a striker option.
There is no other top-level teenage striker competing with him in the long-run, and if he backs himself to succeed at Arsenal, the opportunity will be there as the club focuses on him instead of Biereth.
