Arsenal have reportedly submitted a proposal for Chelsea youngster Ryan McAidoo, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 15-year-old is expected to leave Chelsea, with Arsenal offering the most appealing deal so far.
In a March episode of The Athletic podcast, journalist David Ornstein mentioned that Arsenal plan to invest heavily in their youth setup this summer. “There’s a sort of word in the industry that Arsenal are preparing to spend quite heavily on youth players this summer for the first time in a long time, or maybe ever, in terms of significant spend,” Ornstein stated.
Arsenal are currently leading the race to sign 15 year-old Chelsea & England youth forward Ryan McAidoo this summer… And have already made a proposal for him 👀🚨 @FabrizioRomano
Played for Chelsea U18s & England U17s multiple times 👏🏽 Very highly rated. Would be a big move 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/jPlGhXjhoG
— Rising Ballers (@RisingBallers_) June 12, 2024
The Chelsea youth star could be the first of many talented youngsters to arrive at Hale End. McAidoo is a versatile player who can play upfront, on the wing, or in midfield. The teenager is extremely technical, boasting a good first touch and impressive dribbling abilities. The youngster also has good positional awareness, using clever maneuvers to create space for himself.
McAidoo has represented England at youth levels and has attracted interest from big clubs. Having signed with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brother’s agency, Liverpool has been strongly linked with him. Manchester City is also said to be interested in the youngster.
Since post-Brexit regulations prevent Premier League clubs from signing players under 18 from other European countries, English clubs are now focusing on securing top domestic talents. Arsenal’s strategy aligns with this trend as they look to strengthen their youth squads.
In March, Arsenal signed 16-year-old center back Brayden Clarke from Wolves and have been monitoring other young talents like Alexander Smith and Lewis Carrol. By developing these players internally, Arsenal could save millions in transfer fees, adhere to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, and meet the Home Grown quotas for continental competitions.
Investing in youth not only supports the club’s long-term success but also ensures a pipeline of talent capable of contributing to the first team in the future.
