Not often do you hear of a teenage academy player deciding to end his affiliation with the club that had helped his development all through the youth rank but West Bromwich Albion youth forward Reyes Cleary has decided to be an exception.
Cleary began training with the club’s first team in the 2021/22 seasons. He was nominated for the Premier League 2 player of the month award for December 2021. He made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2–1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on 8 January 2022. Reyes was on the bench for December’s Championship victory over Reading.
The Express and Star disclosed Reyes Cleary’s decision to leave West Bromwich Albion, after opposing a professional contract with the club in December 2021. West Brom offered what they presumed to be a stunning financial package considering that Cleary’s deal at the club ends in the summer, but Cleary seems to have made up his mind which resulted in rejecting the supposed stunning offer.
Cleary’s decision had angered the club and consequently, the 18-year-old centre-forward was demoted from the U-23 where he had already scored 13 goals, joining the U-18 side where he had an impressive 22 goals, proving to be mentally strong despite the demotion and proving that he’s way above the U-18 level.
“Reyes is a powerful forward player with an eye for goal and is an excellent finisher” – U18s boss Peter Gilbert.
Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly sent their scouts to watch him on a few occasions while Premier League sides Everton, Newcastle, and Arsenal, have all stepped in to sign the teenager.
Arsenal’s interest wouldn’t be a big surprise considering how the 18-year-old forward introduced himself against the Gunners U-23s, scoring both home and away in the Premier League Cup group stage this season.
Reyes Cleary’s potential move to join the Hale End academy would be Arsenal’s second acquisition of an academy player from the Albion youth team after the signing of Lino Sousa during the January transfer window.
Arsenal U-23s are currently short of an option at the center-forward, with Biereth being the most recognized center-forward thus far. Nikolai Moller and Folarin Balogun are most likely going to be sent back on loan next season after their successful loan spell (especially for Balogun).
Come next season, Mika Biereth could also be sent on loan to gain senior-level experience in football just like his predecessors, leaving the club with rising U-18 star Khayon Edwards who recently quenched the tension around his contract by signing an extension with Arsenal.
Signing Cleary with the promise to train with the first team occasionally and tabling the pathway where he could be named on the bench with the first team during Cup games before joining the likes of Saka, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, and likes as a first-teamer would be an incredible job by the club’s management.
With so many outstanding performances at the youth level, Reyes Cleary might be Arsenal’s U-23’s next big star to get his first-team debut next season.
