'It's enormous' - Max Dowman's incredible Arsenal pay hike 'even bigger than people think'

Max Dowman needs to be protected from an eye-watering pay rise as the young Arsenal gem nears his first professional contract. 

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the 16-year-old's parents and advisors need to be careful with his rapid rise.

Dowman is soon set to turn 17 years old, which means the Gunners will be able to offer him his first professional contract at the Emirates Stadium.

In 2026-27, the young attacker already has two goals in two games, both coming against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this month.

Supporters in North London are desperate for the academy gem to be given more minutes in the senior set-up, with just nine minutes in the Premier league so far.

Nonetheless, he is expected to sign a deal very soon, and speaking to Football Insider, legendary former scout Bryan King believes his wage could go from £350-a-week to £40,000-a-week.

Max Dowman's family given huge pay hike warning

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has issued a warning to those in North London, believing that most of the money should be managed for Dowman.

"It's probably more Dowman's family and advisors that need to be careful. I think it may even be more than £40,000-a-week, by the way," he said.

"It's an enormous challenge for a 17-year-old to be earning that kind of money, clearly. But there's only a limit to what the club can do.

"You would have to think that the way that the whole process has been run since he was 14 or 15, he's been at the club for ages, he's probably pretty well managed.

"It all looks like it's been pretty smooth. And so he's probably got the right structures in place. What should happen is the vast, vast majority of that money should simply go into very safe investments.

"If he's been well managed, he should see almost none of it for a while, in my view; that would be the safest thing."

What do Arsenal have planned for Dowman?

Right now, Football Insider understands that Dowman's minutes on the pitch will increase as the season continues.

However, the current debate is over whether he should be sent out on loan to gain consistent minutes elsewhere, with several clubs interested.

Luton Town are heavily linked due to Jack Wilshere being the manager, but those at the Emirates Stadium want to see him stay and compete.

Understandably, Bukayo Saka is the first-choice left winger at Arsenal, but Dowman has more than enough talent to make an impact off the bench.