Arsenal make improved contract offer to star talent and set deadline | OneFootball

Arsenal have made an improved offer to academy striker Chido Martin Obi, with a reported deadline for a decision early next week.

Chido Martin Obi with the Denmark u17s against the Czech Republic (Photo via LambyReviews on Instagram)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have made an improved offer to Chido Martin Obi, with Mikel Arteta pushing for the club to keep the young striker.

There’s no agreement yet, with Martin Obi prioritising a pathway to senior football. As well as Arsenal’s offer, he’s considering bids from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, among others.

TheSecretScout claim the deadline for a decision is Monday, July 8th, and points out there’s little competition at centre-forward in the Arsenal academy right now, so the pathway is there.

But Arsenal have made their move, and it’s up to Martin Obi now.

Chido Obi-Martin celebrating a hat-trick for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Bayern and Dortmund were drawn into the race by the fact the striker would be available for no more than a €400,000 training compensation fee this summer.

Arsenal were unable to sign the striker up to a new contract until now due to his age, which has allowed the vultures to start circling.

The Gunners are hoping to get Martin Obi to agree to a scholarship contract now, converting that into a professional deal when he turns 17 later this year.

Chido Obi-Martin celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Martin Obi finished as the u18 Premier League’s top scorer in 2023/24 with 32 goals, 11 ahead of his nearest competitor.

That was a club record for most goals in an u18 Premier League season, and only three Arsenal players have ever scored more in a single youth league campaign.