Arsenal must accept Max Dowman loan offer as club in 'advanced talks' to sign attacker
Max Dowman should look to leave Arsenal on loan this summer as Mikel Arteta closes in on a new signing.
According to Ben Jacobs, a "full verbal agreement is close" between Arsenal and Leicester for the signing of 16-year-old Jeremy Monga.
The forward appeared 27 times for Leicester in the Championship this season, and Arsenal are ready to take their chance to sign the young talent.
Further competition for Dowman, alongside Ethan Nwaneri having returned from his loan spell, means the 16-year-old could benefit from a period away from north London.
Dowman broke through into the Arsenal team this season, but the forward is not yet ready to become a regular starter in Mikel Arteta's team.
Mikel Arteta must make correct Max Dowman decision
Both Monga and Nwaneri are ahead of Dowman in their development, and Arteta is more likely to call upon them next season if required.
Arsenal should accept a loan offer for Dowman if it would land them an £8million-plus payment from a Premier League club who are not a title rival, who pays his wages for next season.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, has warned Arteta that he must be careful about Dowman's development after Nwaneri's failed loan spell at Marseille.
Nwaneri only started three Ligue 1 matches during his time at Marseille, seeing his playing time reduced when the club sacked Roberto De Zerbi in February.
However, Dowman faces a tough task breaking through into Arteta's plans again next season, and without a loan spell he could be forced to stay in the club's academy.
Arsenal building for the future
Arteta has been constantly evolving his Arsenal team since taking over from Unai Emery in 2019, and has been keen to increase the depth of the squad.
The Spaniard has put his trust in young stars throughout his time at the club, with Bukayo Saka having benefitted from his management to become one of Arsenal's most important players.
Monga should take inspiration from Saka's pathway, whilst Dowman has proven it is possible to get minutes in a Premier League title winning team at such a young age.
Arsenal are set to pay Leicester around £10million for Monga, in what could prove to be a smart piece of business for the future.