Manchester United are very close to capturing Arsenal youth star Chido Obi-Martin, who has rejected an offer from the Gunners.
According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chido Obi-Martin is close to signing for Manchester United after rejecting an offer from Arsenal. There are multiple reasons why the 16-year-old wanted to leave the Gunners’ youth system, with ‘pathway’ cited as the primary point in his swerving decision to switch over.
Manchester United to sign Chido Obi-Martin
The Chido Obi-Martin situation worried a few Arsenal fans, especially considering how prolific the 16-year-old has been for their youth teams. The Gunners hoped to hold on to the teenage striker for the longer term and were aware of the growing interest, particularly from Germany. Bundesliga clubs could still offer him a professional contract, whereas in England, that can only materialise when a player turns 17.
Reports suggested that Arsenal had made a professional contract offer with a wage of £15,000 per week, although Manchester United came in with an offer worth double. That is huge money for a teenager entering the professional sphere and might have been challenging to turn down.
Manchester United have been closing in on the striker for some time now, and they may have gotten it over the line. As Fabrizio Romano and many other reporters suggested, the main reason for the 16-year-old’s switch was the pathway to the first team.
He might have been given a better shot at first-team football at Manchester United rather than at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side probably does not have the route for the 16-year-old just yet, and there are uncertainties about his prospects of quickly making it into the senior squad.
Manchester United is a good career decision
While there will be conversations about the wage package the Red Devils offered, the truth is that players of his quality and hunger will see the pathway rather than the money. Newcastle United were also interested in Chido Obi-Martin. But he has chosen Manchester United for the way they develop youngsters, as they are one of the best in the business.
With Erik ten Hag needing a proper structure with confirmed strikers despite signing the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Chido Obi-Martin may find it easier to break into the first team. He could be considered their third striker and even get decent minutes during the next campaign.
