Como, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are actively pursuing Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri this summer, according to sources at TEAMtalk. The Italian club face competition from at least five other Premier League teams for the 19-year-old, who holds the distinction of being Arsenal’s youngest-ever first-team player, debuting at 15 years and 181 days old against Brentford in September 2022.
Fabregas is reportedly keen to add young talent to his Como squad following their successful season which resulted in European qualification. The club intends to leverage the appeal of Champions League football to attract Nwaneri, despite significant interest from within the English top flight. Como are open to various deal structures, including a loan with an option to buy or a permanent transfer, as they assess the feasibility of securing the player.
Nwaneri’s future at Arsenal is currently uncertain, with questions surrounding the amount of first-team opportunities he is likely to receive under Mikel Arteta. While highly regarded within the Arsenal academy, sources close to the player suggest concerns exist regarding consistent playing time. This uncertainty has prompted interest from clubs across Europe, including Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, who have both monitored his progress.
Several Premier League clubs are also in the mix, with Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Everton all expressing interest in a permanent deal. Newcastle are understood to be long-term admirers of Nwaneri’s versatility, while Villa and Everton are looking to bolster their attacking options. Newly-promoted Coventry City and Ipswich Town have also enquired about a potential loan move. Dortmund, in particular, have tracked Nwaneri for several years, believing he has the potential to become a top-level attacking player with regular senior football.
Arsenal now face a decision regarding Nwaneri’s future, balancing their desire to retain a promising academy graduate with the player’s need for consistent first-team football. Talks are expected in the coming weeks to determine the best course of action for both parties. Como are also preparing for the departure of Nico Paz, with Real Madrid set to exercise their buy-back option, and view Nwaneri as a potential replacement.
