Bayern Munich interested in record-breaking Arsenal youth striker | OneFootball

Bayern Munich are among the clubs interested in Arsenal youth forward Chido Martin Obi, according to a report.

Chido Obi-Martin shoots for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

The Telegraph report that Arsenal face a battle to keep hold of Chido Martin Obi this summer, with the player yet to sign a scholarship deal with the Gunners and currently out of contract in the summer.

Premier League rules prevent a player from officially signing scholarship terms until July 1st of the school year in which they turn 16. For Martin Obi, that’s July 1st, 2024.

Martin Obi will then be eligible to sign a professional deal once he turns 17 on November 29th, 2024.

For the time being, that means Arsenal are unable to tie the striker down, and European clubs are circling.

Chido Obi-Martin celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Some other European nations allow professional deals to be signed at 16, meaning Martin Obi is already eligible for them.

Bayern Munich are reportedly among the clubs with an interest in tempting the teenager away from Arsenal, and Arsenal would be owed less in compensation for a move to Bayern than with an English club.

FC Copenhagen are also making public overtures to try and lure the centre-forward back to Denmark.

Martin Obi recently joined up with talent representation group Elite Project Group, who represent a number of other Arsenal players including Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, and youth striker Khayon Edwards.

AllNigeriaSoccer report that Martin Obi has already been offered a scholarship and a professional contract by Arsenal, but nothing is signed yet.

Chido Obi-Martin (2nd R) with the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Since mid-March, Martin Obi has played seven u18 Premier League matches, scoring 24 goals. Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have won six of those seven games, drawing the other.

To put that run in context, Martin Obi would be four goals clear at the top of the u18 Premier League top scorer list this season even if he’d only played those seven games.

Martin Obi’s 28 goals this season make him the Arsenal u18s’ best-ever u18 Premier League goalscorer, and he’s done it as a 16-year-old schoolboy player.