Promising Arsenal defender rejects new contract to leave club this summer | OneFootball

Reuell Walters, a highly-rated young defender at Arsenal, has decided to leave the club this summer in pursuit of first-team opportunities.

Despite being offered a new contract, the 19-year-old believes his development would be better served elsewhere.

Reuell Walters (L) in first-team training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Promising young defender Reuell Walters is set to leave Arsenal this summer upon the expiration of his contract. The 19-year-old, who can play both right-back and centre-back, has been offered a new deal by the club but has chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere for his development.

Walters joined Arsenal in November 2020 and quickly became a key figure in the academy, making 55 appearances for the under-21s and playing a crucial role in the under-18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup final last season. Despite earning the accolade of Arsenal‘s Academy Scholar of the Year in 2022-23 and being involved in the first-team pre-season tours in 2022 and 2023, Walters has yet to make his senior debut for the club.

Although highly rated by Arsenal‘s academy staff and considered to fit the mould of what manager Mikel Arteta looks for in a defender, Walters‘ priority is to gain first-team experience at this critical stage of his career. With limited opportunities at Arsenal, the young defender has decided to explore other options.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Reuell Walters runs with the ball for the Arsenal u21s vs Brentford B (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

According to The Athletic, Arsenal maintains that Walters‘ departure is by mutual consent, which would mean no training compensation would be due to Arsenal. However, if he moves to another English club, Arsenal can set the compensation amount. Should he move to a European club, FIFA regulations would determine the compensation based on his time at the club.

Walters, who holds a German passport, has garnered interest from clubs in the Premier League, Championship, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Belgium. However, discussions with English clubs cannot begin until 18 May.

Walters‘ departure is a loss for Arsenal, who had high hopes for the young defender. However, it also highlights the challenge faced by talented youngsters at top clubs, where breaking into the first team can be incredibly difficult.