Manchester United are exploring the possibility of signing Chido Obi-Martin, Arsenal’s record-breaking 16-year-old wonderkid. The young striker recently visited United’s Carrington training ground, and discussions have begun with his representatives, although they are not yet advanced.
Obi-Martin has decided to leave Arsenal despite the Gunners proposing what they believed to be a fair deal. Any club interested in signing him, with the exception of Manchester City, would be offering scholarship terms. The youngster will be eligible to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 in late November.
The reason Obi-Martin’s potential departure is making headlines is due to his astonishing achievements at the youth level. In April, he scored seven goals in a single game against Norwich, taking his tally for the 2023-24 season to 28 goals, the most by any player in Arsenal Under-18s history.
At the time of breaking the record previously held by Folarin Balogun, Obi-Martin had scored 25 times in his previous nine appearances, ultimately finishing the season with 29 goals. Earlier in the campaign, he scored an impressive 10 goals in an Under-16 game against Liverpool, leading to his promotion to an older age group shortly after.
Manchester United’s interest in Obi-Martin reflects their renewed ambition at both the senior and youth levels, a level of competitiveness not seen since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. It appears to be a new approach under the club’s revamped sporting hierarchy, and fans will expect United to always compete for the best young talents to nurture for the future.
Understand Chido obi martin has told Academy players that he will be joining United 📝🔜 https://t.co/xs4qH5BpaS
— Manchester_United_Youth (@MUFC_Youth) July 20, 2024
