Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has questioned whether Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri might be lured to Borussia Dortmund in his search for regular minutes, following in the footsteps of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The Arsenal midfielder enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign last season and established himself as a key member of Mikel Arteta’s first team squad. Softfootball has reliably learned that Nwaneri is keen to remain with his boyhood club; he is said to be seeking assurances over his game time before he signs a new long-term contract with the Gunners.
Arsenal have been linked with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze in recent weeks, both of whom would likely provide competition and lessen the minutes available to Nwaneri.
With just 12 months remaining on his current deal, a host of top clubs are monitoring Nwnaeri’s situation, with Chelsea reportedly considering a move if contract negotiations continue to stall.
However, Cundy believes a move away from the Premier League could provide Nwaneri with the best playing opportunities and said following the same path as Jude Bellingham may appeal to the youngster.
‘How do you make demands to play ahead of (Bukayo) Saka?’
Cundy told talkSPORT when asked about Nwaneri’s demands for more regular minutes.
‘I don’t know how you can. He can also play in the No10 but how are you going to get ahead of (Martin) Odegaard? And now with (Viktor) Gyokeres, it looks like (Kai) Havertz might operate in those areas too.
‘Look, Nwaneri is the future of Arsenal, they do not want to lose him but they can’t make assurances and tell him he’s going to make 25 Premier League starts next season.
‘What club is he going to go to to do that? If I was an Arsenal fan, I would be worried about Dortmund or someone like that, where they can go ‘You come to us, this is the development you can get’.
‘That’s where I would be worried, not a move in England, but whether he looks at the Jadon Sancho or Jude Bellingham route and get first-team football and Champions League football and you’ll play in a top league.’
While contract negotiations will no doubt continue to rumble on behind the scenes, former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown is confident that Nwaneri will ultimately remain with his boyhood club and tipped the teenager for a bright future under Arteta. Martin Keown said:
‘Mikel Arteta has a history of protecting players until the time is right, it’s not to do with ability and he’ll get his chance. Maybe it’s a bartering situation for the contract, but I’ve met the family and they’re very calm.
‘He’s an intelligent boy and he’ll eventually sign for Arsenal there is no doubt about it. I just think he wants to make sure he plays football and that’s healthy. He’s doing it for the right seasons and I believe he’s going to be a superstar at Arsenal.’
Softfootball’s earlier update revealed why Arsenal walked away from Sesko and made Gyokeres their top striker target. Arsenal’s preference for Viktor Gyokeres over Benjamin Sesko has been explained, with a defining moment identified where the club’s transfer focus became unmistakably clear.
Despite long talks with Leipzig over a deal, the German side has not budged on a valuation which Arsenal deemed too high. The club, while having their preferences, refused to be bullied into paying a fee well over their valuation and, as a result, are moving on to Gyokeres.
Another benefit is the Swede’s desire to move to the club. While many of the difficulties that were alleged regarding Sesko and personal terms are thought not to be accurate, and the Slovenian is believed to be keen on the move, Gyokeres has gone the extra mile to try and make this deal happen.
