Ethan Nwaneri decision changes everything for Arsenal

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has made a bold decision on his future, and it could have major ramifications for his club's transfer business going forward.

The 19-year-old has been widely expected to leave the Gunners before the end of the window, with Mikel Arteta admitting that it doesn't make sense to keep him if he isn't guaranteed minutes.

Nwaneri impressed in pre-season, but he hasn't featured in a competitive game for Arsenal yet this season, though he did make the bench for the club's Premier League opener against Coventry.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the England youth international "will leave Arsenal." So far, however, discussions with suitors have seemingly come to nothing.

It has been claimed that RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Galatasaray have all expressed an interest in the attacking midfielder, but as things stand, these clubs will struggle to complete a deal for him.

Nwaneri wants to stay in England

That's because Nwaneri is reluctant to go abroad after his disastrous loan spell at Marseille in the second half of last season. According to Sky Sports, the teenager wants to stay in the Premier League.

In fact, Nwaneri actively wants to stay at Arsenal unless an "attractive" offer arrives from a league rival in the final days of the window. Therefore, the current direction of travel is that the homegrown is going nowhere.

However, it is emphasised that things could still change, with Mikel Arteta possibly having a part to play. The manager wants Nwaneri to get regular minutes, and there is an acceptance that this is "more likely to come elsewhere."

Arsenal's stance so far this summer has been that only a permanent offer or a loan with an obligation to buy will be accepted, so they clearly want to cash in on the talented youngster. Nwaneri would represent pure profit and give the Gunners significant financial wiggle room.

With the sale of Gabriel Martinelli hitting the accounts immediately, a loan with an obligation to buy would make more sense for Nwaneri, as it would delay the windfall by a year, giving Arsenal the ability to spend next summer without desperately having to look for ways to balance the books.

FootballTransfers understands that, ideally, Arsenal would want as much as €60 million for Nwaneri, though whether they will get this is doubtful. A package in the region of €45m may be more realistic.

There have been some links with Liverpool, but the Gunners would be loath to sell Nwaneri to a direct rival. We have been told that Bournemouth and Newcastle hold an interest. They could be more plausible options.

Newcastle a good landing spot for Nwaneri

Indeed, according to data analytics firm SciSports, Newcastle could be an ideal landing spot for Nwaneri. A deal for the 19-year-old would certainly fit their new transfer strategy of betting on youth.

Nwaneri would seamlessly slot into Matthias Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 setup, and SciSports believes that he would get plenty of minutes. In fact, using its Career Advice tool with an emphasis on playing time, Newcastle emerge as his best option with a whopping Club Fit rating of 89 out of 100.

What's more, we know that the St. James' Park club are interested in adding a Nwaneri-style profile to their squad. They have reportedly reignited their interest in Stuttgart star Bilal El Khannouss, who can play as a 10 and a winger, like the Arsenal prospect.

Nwaneri currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €35m. Given his immense potential and long-term contract, it is inevitable that a premium would have to be paid, so a deal in the region of €45m would still be good business. It could be a gamble worth taking.