Jack Wilshere has pleaded with Ethan Nwaneri to stay at Arsenal amid growing Premier League interest in the teenager, with Liverpool one of the clubs chasing the youngster.
Speaking to Goal, the former Arsenal superstar sent a transfer message to the 16-year-old to plead the attacker to remain in north London, with journalist Tom Canton recently reporting that the likes of Liverpool are keen on signing the record-breaking talent.
Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League player ever earlier this season after appearing for Arsenal in a 3-0 win away to Brentford at the age of 15, yet with the youngster yet to commit his future to the Gunners, there’s a growing sense that the England youth international could leave.
And as a result, Liverpool find themselves in the mix to sign Nwaneri, with the Reds one of the best clubs in England for talented youngsters to develop their game as their guaranteed to eventually break into the senior team if Jurgen Klopp believes they’re ready.
Indeed, Arsenal losing Nwaneri would be quite the disaster given how highly-rated the Hale End product now is, and for Wilshere, the Gunners U-18 coach is keen to keep the teenager in north London despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and other Premier League sides.
Wilshere said: “We all hope he stays because he’s an exceptional talent. As coaches, we don’t get involved and we don’t talk about that. I think we have to make it clear we don’t talk about that. That’s nothing. Our job is to develop Ethan to help him when he goes with the first-team.”
Liverpool have to be at the front of the queue to sign Nwaneri
Liverpool can make a strong claim for themselves as being the best top-six club for giving youth a chance, with Arsenal arguably the only club that can compete with the Reds for such a title. And in the case of Nwaneri, the Merseysiders have to ensure they are at the front of the queue to land Nwaneri.
The 16-year-old looks more likely to leave Arsenal by the day, and with Liverpool having a fantastic reputation and track record at developing young talents, Nwaneri would be smart to choose a move up north to Anfield rather than a financially-motivated move to a Manchester City or Chelsea.