Report: Arsenal ask for player + £10m to part with Ethan Nwaneri

The transfer window always throws up some questionable things – but the latest report concerning Arsenal coming out of Italy is quite concerning, albeit unlikely.

According to a report from SportMediaSet, Chelsea’s ongoing discussions with Arsenal over a potential deal for Noni Madueke have taken an unexpected turn.

The report suggests the Blues are requesting highly-rated teenager Ethan Nwaneri in exchange.

The suggestion? That Arsenal could part with the 18-year-old midfielder for Madueke. The same report claims Arsenal responded by demanding Madueke plus £10million for Nwaneri — a clear indication of how highly the club values the 2007-born starlet.

Even so, this entire scenario feels far-fetched. While Madueke remains a player of interest for Arsenal, the idea of offering Nwaneri — one of the most promising Hale End graduates in recent memory — to Chelsea, of all clubs, simply doesn’t align with what we understand about Arsenal’s long-term strategy.

Sources close to the club have told Fresh Arsenal that a new deal for Nwaneri was already close to being agreed by the end of last season. Only minor details are thought to be left to finalise. That would secure the future of a player many inside the club see as a future first-team regular.

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Given the history and rivalry between the two clubs — not to mention Chelsea’s aggressive recruitment of young players in recent windows — it’s hard to imagine Arsenal handing over a talent like Nwaneri in any circumstance, let alone as part of a swap deal.

Arsenal may still pursue a move for Madueke in a separate negotiation, particularly if they’re seeking to add more explosiveness and depth to the right flank. But it’s likely to be a standalone deal if it happens at all.

For now, reports linking Nwaneri to Stamford Bridge should be taken with a heavy pinch of salt.