Manchester United to sign Arsenal youngster who scored 10 goals in one game against Liverpool on huge contract
Manchester United are keen to secure the signing of Arsenal youngster Chido Obi-Martin, according to reports.
The Red Devils appear to have pulled off a huge coup with the 16-year-old right under the noses of their Premier League rivals for the talented striker.
He will represent United's first attack-minded signing from Arsenal since the 2018 swap deal for Alexis Sanchez that saw Danny Welbeck go in the opposite direction.
That came just six years after United signed Robin van Persie for £22.5m.
Obi-Martin has already endeared himself to United fans with his sensational performance in an Under-16 game against their arch-rivals. Liverpool in February.
The teenager scored a staggering ten goals for the Gunners in the game against Liverpool, to help increase his season total of 29 goals in 17 league games for the club's Under 18s side.
His goals in this match were born from a mix of speed, power and precision, as well as showing composure in front of goal.
And to prove that his performance was not a one-off, he scored four goals against… crystal Palace and one against Fulham.
Incredibly, the prolific teenager had previously scored five goals in one game against West Ham and seven against Norwich.
Obi-Martin will now take his talents to Old Trafford according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday.
“Chido Obi Martin is leaving for Manchester United, here we go! The talented striker leaves Arsenal and has just accepted Manchester United’s offer,” Romano posted.
“It's a key move for Chido, who turned down higher offers from Germany to join Manchester United.
“The project convinced the best talents born in 2007 to accept.”
Arsenal had hoped to convince the striker to stay in north London by offering him a route into the Under-21s via the Under-18s.
However, Obi-Martin appeared determined to make a swift move into the Under-21s and was even considering the occasional training session with Mikel Arteta's first team, according to the Daily Mail.
The youngster joined Arsenal from Danish side KB in 2022 and represented Denmark in the qualifying rounds of the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
He was selected for the group stage of the competition, scoring two goals in three appearances.
Players exchanged between Manchester United and Arsenal
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Manchester United to Arsenal (part of a swap deal) January 2018
Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal to Manchester United (Part of a swap deal) January 2018
Danny Welbeck – Manchester United to Arsenal – January 2014 (£16m)
Robin van Persie – Arsenal to Manchester United – August 2012 (£22.5m)
Mikael Silvestre – From Manchester United to Arsenal – August 2008 (£750,000)
Viv Anderson – Arsenal to Manchester United – July 1987 (£250,000)