Fabrizio Romano: Arteta desperate to keep 32-goal Arsenal sensation amid Bayern interest as improved deal offered | OneFootball

Arsenal have offered youth team striker Chido Obi-Martin an improved deal to keep him at the club beyond this summer, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Denmark youth international is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund following another impressive campaign with the Gunners under-18s, but first-team manager Mikel Arteta is pushing for him to remain at the North London club.

The 16-year-old wants a guaranteed pathway to first-team football at Arsenal and that has proven difficult in recent seasons, with American striker Folarin Balogun finally leaving last summer after finding it hard to break into the main team.

Obi-Martin cannot sign a professional deal at Arsenal until he turns 17 in November under the Football Association’s rules, but professional deals can be signed in Germany at 16, and the promise of a quicker pathway to first-team football is also often guaranteed.

Bayern have given the likes of Jamal Musiala a chance in the first-team while Arsenal recently lost Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry after both got frustrated with lack of opportunities.

Obi-Martin bagged 32 goals in 19 games for the under-18s last term and has notched 11 goals in 15 appearances for the Denmark under-17 side.

Arsenal are already preparing for life without the teenage sensation and have identified Chelsea forward Ryan McAidoo as a potential replacement.

The Gunners are currently leading the race to sign the 15-year-old having tabled a proposal which is seen as the best project proposal he has received so far.

While Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history in 2022-23, he has played just once for the first-team since then, and convincing Obi-Martin that his future is at Arsenal could prove tricky.