Arsenal are on the verge of agreeing a new five-year contract with teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri, according to a report.
The 18-year-old has stepped up to the plate in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka in recent weeks and now boasts eight goals and one assist from 29 appearances in all competitions this season.
Nwaneri's stellar form did not earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad, but the effervescent attacker is set to earn his first caps for the Under-21s during the March international break.
Nwaneri had already attracted the attention of Arsenal's rivals Chelsea and Manchester City after becoming the youngest-ever Premier League player, coming on at just 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022.
The Gunners managed to fend off the interest of the Blues and the Sky Blues by signing the teenager to his first professional deal last year, and now that he is 18 years old, a longer contract can be agreed.
Nwaneri to extend Arsenal stay until 2030?
© Imago
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal and Nwaneri are 'closing in' on an agreement over a new long-term contract, which will see the attacker commit his future to the club until the summer of 2030.
The 18-year-old could only sign a maximum three-year deal last year, meaning that his current terms are due to run out in 2027, but Arsenal are determined to secure the Hale End graduate's long-term future.
Even though Arsenal already had high hopes for Nwaneri this season, the report adds that the 2007-born talent has 'surpassed' the expectations of Gunners staff, who have now made it their mission to reward his meteoric rise.
Nwaneri has been with Arsenal since 2015 and is the Gunners' third-highest scorer across all tournaments in the 2024-25 season, only behind Saka's nine and Kai Havertz's 15.
Nwaneri could make his England Under-21 debut when the Young Lions take on France on Friday night, before resuming Arsenal duties against Fulham in a Premier League London derby on April 1.
Arsenal on contract mission as Nwaneri 'close' to renewal
© Imago
As opposed to Liverpool, who have allowed all of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to enter the last six months of their agreements, Arsenal are working to tie down their prized assets ahead of time.
Nwaneri is one of a handful of top Gunners due to become free agents in 2027, a list that also includes Saka, but a separate report has claimed that Arsenal are planning to start discussions with his camp too.
The same can be said for Gabriel Magalhaes, apparently on the radar of Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, while William Saliba is also out of contract in just over two years time amid supposed interest from Real Madrid.
During the Edu years, Arsenal meticulously ensured that Mikel Arteta's most integral performers would have their contracts sorted out as a matter of priority, and that strategy is seemingly continuing into the Andrea Berta era.
The Gunners are said to be finalising a deal to bring the Italian to North London, following his exit from Atletico Madrid in January after nearly 12 years of service.
Ben Knapton
