English rivals Manchester United are still awaiting approval from the Premier League for the signing of 16-year-old Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin.
Journalist Christopher Michel earlier touted that the Gunners took the matter to the court since United needed to pay a fee for the parent club’s role in the player’s development. His contract expired this summer.
Although Chido Obi Martin’s contract at #Arsenal has expired, I heard that #MUFC can’t just sign him on a free transfer. Very complicated… He is therefore only training individually and has not yet been presented. Possibly this will go before a court.
— Christopher Michel (@CMoffiziell) August 29, 2024
As per recent claims by Football Fanatics News, the North London outfit will receive over £10 million (add-ons included) once the tribunal negotiations are over. That is a profitable fee for a player who is just 16.
The U18 star rejected offers from German clubs and wasn’t ready to extend his stay at the Emirates. Initially, he trained alone since Man United was his final call.
After a long wait, the Dutch talent finally completed his medical at Carrington, and all that is remaining is the final permission from the PL to proceed with the transfer.
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The player recently liked countless Red Devil’s Instagram pictures, throwing an indication that he has set his sights on the move. He will sign a professional contract with the Red side of Manchester once he turns 18.
Obi-Martin was lucky to be called by Denmark’s U18 side during this ongoing transfer dilemma, and he scored their fifth goal in the 5-3 thrashing of Norway.
Scoring goals is nothing new for the academy star since he has broken a range of records for Arsenal’s youth sides.
Have Arsenal strengthened Man United by giving them Chido Obi-Martin?
The striker joined Arsenal when he was just 14—from Danish club Kjobenhavns Boldklub. He has since hit a ridiculous amount of goals—32 in just 20 league matches for the Gooner’s U18s (a club record).
Although he pulled the majority of his goals for the U18 side, he did score a 10 goal haul in a 14-3 win over Liverpool’s U16s.
He went on to score four goals against Crystal Palace and Fulham in March this year, five against West Ham United (8-1) and seven in the 9-0 thrashing of Norwich in April. He scored five hat-tricks in the final nine league games last season.
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Even in his final appearance for Arsenal’s U18s, he bagged a hattrick in a 5-2 win over Chelsea. On the international level, he is also eligible to represent England or Nigeria.
Obi-Martin is a really good finisher, and he has a strong sense of moving into goalscoring positions upfront. A welcome addition to Man United, who can plan to move him to the U21 squad before handing him a senior debut.
Selling him to a direct rival is a loss since he can go on to hurt them in the future if he develops into an important first-team player. Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere heavily praised the Gunner’s management for their role in his progress. As quoted by the Mirror, he said:
“He’s been exceptional. I’ve said it before but credit to everyone at the club and at Hale End for the work that they have done with him. He’s adapted so well, helped the team massively at times.”
Add fees for Tavares, Biereth, Hutchinson, Cuffy, McGuiness, Patino, Obi Martin, Duberry, Walters and loan fee for Lukonga and income =£110+. What was previous Arsenal sales income in a single window? Not even half that? Edu responded well to criticism from previous windows.
— Tony Roberts (@phat_controller) August 30, 2024
The North London outfit will be happy with the enormous amount of fee they will receive for Obi-Martin. But it remains to be seen whether it is really justified to sell the raw, talented prospect for gaining a few millions.
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They might have tried their best to convince the player to stay, but the Dutch U18 star preferred building his career at the Theatre of Dreams.
