Arsenal set to lose millions as wonderkid close to agreeing Man Utd transfer

Manchester United are in the process of securing a deal for Arsenal youngster Chido Obi-Martin following the end of his contract with the Gunners.

The 16-year-old made waves last season, hitting the back of the net an astonishing 10 times in a 14-3 victory over Liverpool's youth team.

Obi-Martin took a tour of United's Carrington training ground this past week and is reportedly weighing up a move to the Red Devils, according to The Athletic . It's understood that an offer was put on the table by the Gunners to extend his stay at London Colney, which would see him transition into a scholar role until his 17th birthday when he would secure a professional contract.

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However, it seems Obi-Martin prefers a fresh start away from Arsenal, with United among the frontrunners amid reported interest from neighbors City. He leaves the north London side brimming with confidence having bagged 29 goals in 17 appearances for the under-18s.

Arsenal youth manager Jack Wilshere had high praise in March for the departing striker, particularly after a four-goal showing against Crystal Palace. He commended: "I'm proud of the team because, for a striker to score four, he needs his teammates, his midfielders and defenders, but it's the hardest thing in football and to do it four times as an under-16 in under-18s football takes some real personality.

"Not just that side of his game, his link-up play, the way he pressed and set the tempo for us, he's developing nicely. There are still things to do and get better at but I'm happy with where he's at at the moment."

In April, he stated: "It helps when you have a goalscorer like Chido who is on fire at the moment, and everything he touches seems to go in. He's worked so hard over the last couple of years, especially since we've had him at Sobha Realty Training Centre over the last six weeks, and he's getting his rewards for that hard work. But, we've also got to give massive credit to the team for supplying him."

It seems that Arsenal will lose the promising forward, just months after he broke Folarin Balogun's record for most goals in the club's history for an Under-18 player.

Liverpool.com says: Obi-Martin showed his skills when he put Liverpool to the sword last season and he appears destined for a bright future. His exit will be a big blow to Arsenal, who would have been creating a pathway into the first team picture in the coming years.