Exclusive: Arsenal to demand £50m for Ethan Nwaneri sale – expert
Arsenal will demand £50million to sell Ethan Nwaneri amidst interest from Chelsea and European giants.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider that if the Gunners decide to cash in on the attacking midfielder, his future development would be accounted for in the price.
Nwaneri was thrust into a starting role at Arsenal last season after Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery.
However, the youngster more than held his own and quickly became an integral part of the Gunners’ first team, despite only turning 18 in March.
But the attacking midfielder’s age has proven problematic. Due to FIFA’s rules on contract length for youngsters, Arsenal have needed to wait to offer Nwaneri a contract extension.
And in a surprise twist, talkSPORT revealed the Hale End graduate is hesitating on signing a new deal with his boyhood club, as he wants guarantees on his role in the first team.
With Saka and Martin Odegaard currently occupying the two roles the youngster is most comfortable in, it would appear that the 18-year-old may have to look for a move elsewhere if first-team minutes become a sticking point, especially with Noni Madueke apparently on the way in from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and several clubs in Europe are monitoring Nwaneri’s contract situation, as the England Under-21 international can negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs in January 2026 if no new deal is signed before then.
Arsenal to demand £50m for Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal lost Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven to Man United last season, in large part due to not being able to offer regular first-team minutes to the youngsters.
And speaking to Football Insider exclusively, finance expert Plumley explained that, if the Gunners are unable to reach an agreement with Nwaneri on an extension, the North London club will likely set his asking price at around £50m.
He said: “His stock’s shot up in recent months and particularly last season. He’s young and there’s a development in there and you look at the kind of longevity aspect in and around today’s market.
“I think Arsenal would be looking for something in and around £50m, that kind of figure, if they did sell him, if he doesn’t want to stay, or they decide that it’s time to move him on.
“He’s obviously very talented and you’re factoring that into the price.
“I think just looking at some of the numbers we’ve seen in the market, and it’s always the case of what someone’s prepared to pay as well, of course, but I think that kind of average figure of £50m seems about right for Arsenal if they are going to sell him.”
Ethan Nwaneri advised to sack agent
Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Nwaneri has been badly advised and should look to sack his agent.
The former Aston Villa CEO suggested the 18-year-old “should have kept his head down” and focused on earning his first-team minutes, as opposed to making demands.
However, with Max Dowman also ascending up the ranks, Nwaneri’s place in Arsenal’s starting XI will come under further threat in the coming seasons.