The FA are competing with the USMNT to try and entice Yunus Musah to play for them, despite the player’s debut for the US senior side this month.
As we covered recently, Yunus Musah got a call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team over the November international break. The Arsenal academy midfielder (now at Valencia) made two appearances for the national side against Wales and Panama.
Neither were in competitive matches, however, so the option is still open for Musah to play for England instead.
The Athletic report that the FA were in contact with the USMNT ahead of the call-up, with the latter confirming they were playing a young and experimental squad. That gave the FA confidence they can still convince the player to join England instead.
Musah can also play for Ghana, but there’s not much talk around that possibility right now. The teenager played for England up to u18 level.
Why did Arsenal let Musah go?
Still just 17 and playing senior international football, as well as starting in one of Europe’s top-five leagues, you might be wondering where Arsenal went wrong to lose Musah.
The truth is that they didn’t have much choice. Despite giving him his u18 debut at just 14 years old, and making him a regular in the side the following season, Arsenal couldn’t convince Musah to sign with them.
When his contract expired in 2019, there was no way to stop the teenager from moving on. In fairness, he was very complimentary of the club on his departure, saying:
“I cannot express my gratitude to the overwhelming support the club gave me throughout the course of my journey with Arsenal.
“Not a day will pass without remembrance to those who have helped me achieve in my career thus far. A profuse thank you to all of my teammates and staff who have helped consolidate me as a player. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.”
Evidently, it was a good decision for Musah to go somewhere they were willing to play him in the senior side so young. Perhaps Arsenal will try to bring him back someday – his current contract expires in 2022.