Real Madrid left 'purring' after scouting Arsenal superstar

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 13 Oct 2025 06:00 BST
  • 4 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
© IMAGO

Real Madrid scouts were reportedly left “purring” after watching Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman in action for England U19s in September.

Article continues under the video

The 15-year-old, who became the second-youngest Premier League player in history earlier this season, is one of the brightest talents in European football, and his development is being closely watched by a number of elite clubs.

Current ETV
Player image Max Dowman
Max Dowman

M (C)

Arsenal U23 logo

Arsenal U23

Max Dowman
Max Dowman

M (C)

Arsenal U23

Arsenal U23

€0.1M

ETV Range

€90K - €0.2M

Dowman is unable to sign a professional contract at Arsenal until his 17th birthday on 31 December 2026 and it’s understood that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on his progress as they look to poach him from the Gunners.

The teenager’s England U19 team-mate Rio Ngumoha famously left Chelsea to join Liverpool on a scholarship deal last summer, and Real Madrid are eyeing a similar move for Dowman amid his immense rise through the youth ranks.

The Arsenal academy starlet has scored two goals in two appearances in the Premier League 2 so far this season, while he has already played for the Gunners’ first-team on three occasions since the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.

Max Dowman, Arsenal
© IMAGO - Max Dowman, Arsenal

Max Dowman watched by Real Madrid scouts

Despite being just 15 years old, Dowman is currently in the England U19 set-up and his performances for the Young Lions in September caught the attention of Real Madrid scouts.

That is according to The Daily Mail, who state that Los Blancos’ representatives were left “purring” following impressive displays versus Ukraine, Spain and the Netherlands during the September international break.

Furthermore, it’s claimed that the same Real Madrid scouts watched Dowman’s cameo appearance against Belgium on Saturday as they begin to ramp up their pursuit of his signature. They will also keep a close on his performance against Wales on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Mikey Moore, who is on loan at Rangers, scored a hat-trick during England’s 4-1 victory over Belgium, after Chelsea’s Shumaira Mheuka had opened the scoring, and Dowman replaced Southampton star Jay Robinson for the final 23 minutes.

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