Borussia Dortmund had plans to take Ethan Nwaneri off Arsenal’s hands during the summer transfer window.
There was a time during that summer that Nwaneri was linked to an exit as contract talks hit a stumbling block.
Fortunately, any doubts were ironed out by Arsenal, as Nwaneri signed a new deal to extend his stay at his boyhood club.
After a tremendous breakthrough season in 2024/25, it’s no surprise that the 18-year-old Hale End product generated interest, with Fabrizio Romano now revealing the extent of such.
Borussia Dortmund wanted to sign Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal
Chelsea were linked to Nwaneri in the summer, a scenario that would not have been welcomed in N5, despite the frequent transfer dealings between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano noted that the Blues had kept an eye on the teenager when contract talks were stalling, as well as explaining Borussia Dortmund’s stance.
“Ethan Nwaneri decided to sign a new contract with Arsenal, but two clubs really tried to get him,” Romano said.
“When there was the chance to try to enter the negotiations and try to see what happened while Arsenal were still not agreeing on a new contract with the player.
“One club was Chelsea, Chelsea were prepared to discuss Nwaneri in their conversations for Madueke, but then Arsenal stopped everything.”
Arsenal signed two players from Chelsea in the summer but weren’t prepared to let Nwaneri go the other way, with the same conclusion handed to Borussia Dortmund.
“Not only Chelsea, but also Borussia Dortmund were prepared to invest big, big money on Nwaneri, in terms of contract, in terms of signing fee, in terms of transfer fee.
“But, Arsenal were very strong on a new contract negotiations, the player decided to extend his contract at Arsenal and to show his love to Arsenal by signing.”
Romano lifted the lid on what the two clubs had planned for Nwaneri in the summer, with Dortmund clearly the more intrigued by the idea of signing the Arsenal academy graduate.
Nwaneri needs to play consistently
Joe Cole said Nwaneri was ‘brilliant’ when he filled in for Bukayo Saka last season, but now that Noni Madueke has arrived to provide cover on the right, Arsenal need to find a way to keep the teenager in the fold.
Towards the end of the 2024/25 calendar, Nwaneri’s game time decreased, and early into this season, there’s a mild concern that he’s slipped down the pecking order.
So far this term, the 18-year-old has played only 52 competitive minutes, with 15-year-old Max Dowman called into action more than Nwaneri.
The teen is clearly very happy at Arsenal, hence why he just signed a new deal, but he needs consistent game time to ensure that his progression remains on an upward trajectory.
Arteta has a job to do to sufficiently rotate his attacking options, with Nwaneri one who really needs minutes throughout the campaign.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Rosie Tudball