Chelsea 'Join Race' To Sign Super Eagles Target as Arsenal Consider Summer Sale

by Devesh Jaganath

image Chelsea 'Join Race' To Sign Super Eagles Target as Arsenal Consider Summer Sale
Chelsea have become the latest team to be linked with a summer move for highly-rated Arsenal academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri. The teenage attacker has spent the last six months on loan at Marseille in Ligue 1, but he could be looking for a new permanent home at the end of this season.
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Gunners ‘Willing To Part Ways’ With Hale End Graduate 

With the 2025-26 Premier League season now just two weeks away from ending, transfer talk is starting to heat up, and one of the headline reports in recent days revolves around the potential sale of Arsenal academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri in the summer. 

Nwaneri came through the ranks at Hale End and made six appearances for the Gunners in the EPL in the first half of this season before being loaned out to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for the second half of the campaign during the January transfer window. 

However, despite a bright start to life under the now-departed Roberto De Zerbi, the 19-year-old attacker has struggled to nail down a consistent role in the team’s setup, managing just nine appearances in Ligue 1 to date, only three of which were starting roles. 

The teenager is expected to return to the Emirates Stadium at the end of this season, but his time in North London could be coming to an end, with reports suggesting that Arsenal are considering a permanent sale for him before the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

The highly-rated forward has a market value of €40m according to Transfermarkt, but it is understood that, given his age and interest from clubs around Europe, the Gunners are likely to ask for an offer in the region of €55m to €60m to part ways with their academy graduate. 

Chelsea To Face Stern Competition To Sign Nwaneri 

Following the news of Nwaneri’s possible sale this summer, Chelsea have been credited with interest in the teenager’s services, but the Blues are likely to face stern competition to secure his signature this offseason, with several clubs also monitoring the situation. 

The West Londoners are known for signing bright youngsters from across the globe, and Nwaneri is believed to be seen as a suitable option for their project, especially with the futures of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens looking increasingly uncertain. 

As many as seven clubs across Europe have reportedly made inquiries about the 19-year-old’s availability, including another Premier League side, Aston Villa, who could be at risk of losing Morgan Rogers this summer. AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are also in the running. 

Aside from club football, Nwaneri is a key target for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who is working on trying to persuade the youngster to join the Nigerian national team. He has already represented England at youth levels from Under-16 to Under-21.