Exclusive: Man United want another Arsenal wonderkid after Chido Obi-Martin, Liverpool keen too
10/01/2024 06:15 AM
Premier League trio Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have joined Barcelona in showing an interest in Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman but Mikel Arteta’s side are confident that he will stay put.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Despite being capped already by England at Under 17 level and having trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team at London Colney, Max Dowman will not even celebrate his 15th birthday until December.
The twinkle-toed teenager is one of the most hotly-tipped prospects in European football. And, unsurprisingly given how rapid his development has been, Arsenal are already facing a battle holding onto his services.
The Gunners recently lost both Hubert Graczyk and Chido Obi-Martin – last season’s Premier League Under 18 Golden Boot winner – to top-flight rivals Manchester United.
Obi-Martin officially left Arsenal for Man United last week.
TBR can now confirm that the Red Devils are casting their eyes over Dowman too. There is interest from Chelsea and Liverpool as well, while Barcelona attempted to lure the attacking midfielder to Catalonia during the summer of 2024.
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman wanted by Barcelona and Manchester United
Barca wanted to add Dowman to their feted La Masia academy.
TBR understands, however, that a move to Spain is unlikely as it would also require Dowman’s parents to relocate. FIFA rules no longer permit players to swap nations under the age of 18. Real Madrid, for instance, were forced to wait over a year before Endrick finally arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu.
There is a way around those rules if the player’s family are willing to move with him. But while Barcelona remain hot on Dowman’s heels, Arsenal remain confident that Dowman sees his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.
Much has been made of Arteta’s perceived lack of faith with young players.
The Gunners boss seems determined to change such a perception, however. After Ethan Nwaneri inspired Arsenal’s Carabao Cup thrashing of Bolton Wanderers last week, the 17-year-old was brought off the bench at 2-2 against Leicester City on Saturday and helped secure a dramatic late win for the Premier League challengers.
Jack Wilshere a huge fan of Gunners starlet Dowman
While still only 14, Dowman is already a regular fixture in Arsenal’s U18 side.
He has eight goal contributions in 10 appearances at that level, and struck up an exciting partnership with the aforementioned Obi-Martin before the striker opted to pursue a fresh start at Manchester United.
"There’s always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches. But, if you're good enough, you're old enough,” Jack Wilshere, Arsenal youth coach and former Gunners starlet, told reporters a few months ago in April.
“He can be more consistent but he's only 14 and hasn’t even started his GCSEs yet. We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can.
Hopefully, we can fast-track him. And, when he goes over to the first-team, he’ll be more ready.
“I really enjoyed the performance,” Wilshere added after Dowman provided a staggering four assists in a 5-2 hammering of Fulham.
“We had a blend of players spanning from under-14s to under-18s. It’s always intriguing to see how they play together, how they fight together.”
Arsenal’s Dowman recently became the youngest goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League, hitting the target against Atalanta in September.
