Chelsea interest in Arsenal star should prompt club to consider transfer stance

Chelsea are showing interest in signing Ethan Nwaneri amid his ongoing contract talks with Arsenal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have agreed personal terms with Noni Madueke as they explore a possible deal to sign him from the Blues, but this is said to be separate from the opposed interest in Nwaneri.

Arsenal are currently in negotiations over a new deal for their star academy graduate, but talks have hit a delicate stage, according to the Athletic. Various regulations had prevented the club from opening discussions until after Nwaneri had turned 18. That has had some effect on issues with negotiations along with the player wanting game time guaranteed.

Given his talent, Mikel Arteta's side will be wanting to renew Nwaneri's terms before his current deal expires next year, but with interest from a rival possibly having an impact, this should now act as a sign for them to consider their transfer stance this summer.

Chelsea interest in Ethan Nwaneri should prompt club to consider transfer stance

The main issue in the ongoing negotiations will certainly be Nwaneri's demands for guaranteed game time. While he is a talented player, that isn't something Arsenal can promise him just yet.

The youngster spent a lot of last season on the bench, only really coming into the starting lineup for less important games or when others were injured. He filled in on the right wing when Bukayo Saka was absent, as well as playing in midfield on occasion.

However, he will struggle to break into the side in either of those positions next season. There is no arguing that Saka has nailed down his position as his side's first-choice on the right wing, while the midfield is set to be stacked with the talents of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino, as well as the impending signings of Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi and a potential return of Fabio Vieira.

The possible introduction of a new right-sided winger, potentially Noni Madueke, will hinder his chances even further and that will do no good for their hopes of tying him down to a new deal.

Nwaneri will have to compete with his fellow squad members for his spot throughout the upcoming campaign so Arsenal are not in a position to guarantee he will receive regular game time. He is likely to be given plenty of opportunities, but that may not satisfy him during negotiations.

The Gunners' squad is stacked with talent and perhaps now is the time for the club to change how they are targeting transfers this summer. Madueke would likely be brought in as cover for Saka and that would have a great effect on Nwaneri's chances of being given minutes.

Arsenal should now begin to consider regarding the youngster as cover for his fellow Hale End graduate. That would have to have an impact on their transfer stance. They should now explore the possibilities of focusing solely on a new left-sided winger rather than the right.

Chelsea's interest in Nwaneri should no doubt kick Arsenal into a higher gear in terms of negotiations with the player, but should also impact their transfer targets. Losing such a player to a rival would be devastating, especially on a free, so now should be the time for the Gunners to consider how much of an impact their hopes in the market could have on the future of their current players, especially ones they intend to keep.

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