Real Madrid and AS Monaco are the ‘leading contenders’ to sign Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson, according to reports, but there’s still a good chance the 18-year-old will stay put.

The Evening Standard write that Madrid and Monaco lead “a lengthy queue” of clubs following the youth star. His current Arsenal contract expires in 2019, so a move away is starting to look like a possibility.

The club are reportedly still optimistic they can tie the childhood Arsenal fan down to a new deal, but recent developments could lead to some problems.

On Sunday, Nelson was clearly unhappy that Wenger didn’t substitute him on, angrily throwing his bib to the floor. Arsenal were 3-0 up against Watford, so it seemed like the perfect chance to play him.

Also, Nelson’s former academy teammate Marcus McGuane (19) made his debut for Barcelona this week. One of his closest friends Jadon Sancho (17) is up to six league appearances for Dortmund.

Other clubs are clearly willing to give young English players chances. If those players don’t get opportunities in North London, why would they stick around?

Nelson has seven goals and two assists in nine academy matches this season.

If Arsenal aren’t careful, he’ll be getting those numbers for somebody else’s first team before long.