Manchester City and Chelsea are trying to prise Ethan Nwaneri away from Arsenal, according to a report.

After breaking the news of Omari Hutchinson’s transfer to Chelsea over the summer, TheSecretScout report that Manchester City and Chelsea are now pursuing a move for Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal fans will be aware of Nwaneri from his record-breaking appearance for the first-team against Brentford earlier this season, when he became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player.

The 15-year-old then featured for Arsenal again during the mid-season friendlies, and he travelled with the squad for the FA Cup tie against Oxford United.

But due to his age, Nwaneri is yet to sign a professional contract with Arsenal, or even a scholarship deal with the club. He won’t be eligible for a pro deal until he turns 17 in March 2024, and he’s expected to sign scholarship terms this summer.

As a result, clubs are circling for the opportunity to pick him up for no more than a compensation fee.

Whilst TheSecretScout claim City and Chelsea are “serious contenders” for Nwaneri, those are moves he should think twice about. Joining Chelsea right now seems like a particularly bad decision.

As mentioned, Omari Hutchinson made that move over the summer, and he’s just seen his new club sign a number of players to play ahead of him, before failing to secure him a loan, and leaving him out of their Champions League squad.

Season after season we see Chelsea overlooking their youth players in favour of established stars, with the only exception being during their transfer ban year.

As for Manchester City, Arsenal’s title rivals have rarely promoted youth players to their first team in recent years, and they have a very strong academy side that Nwaneri might find it difficult to break into.

By comparison, Arsenal’s recent emphasis on youth loans has left plenty of opportunities in the u21s, hence the two league starts Nwaneri has already been able to make for the side in 2023.

There’s also a clear pathway to first-team football with the Gunners, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah proving as much.

Even this weekend, young winger Amario Cozier-Duberry made Mikel Arteta’s Premier League squad, whilst Hutchinson watched Chelsea on TV.

A move to a big-six rival is likely to be one the Arsenal teenager regrets.