Arsenal face battle to keep teenager Chido Obi-Martin

Arsenal face a challenge to maintain control one of the academy’s top prospects, Chido Obi-Martinas English academies prepare for another summer of dual national teenagers opting for new clubs in the European Union.

The 16-year-old striker scored seven goals against Norwich City Under-18s last weekend in a 9-0 win, although that was three fewer than the 10 he scored for Arsenal Under-16s against Liverpool in November.

He cannot sign a professional contract with Arsenal until he turns 17 in November, according to Football Association rules, although the same rules do not apply in other European countries where professional contracts can be signed at 16.

Obi-Martin has played for England and Denmark at junior level and recently represented the latter in their U17 European Championship qualifying campaign.

Bayern Munich are among those interested in the player, although it is not yet clear where he could end up. Arsenal are in negotiations with the teenager’s representatives and are keen for him to remain at the club.

Under Premier League academy rules, all players who agree to scholarship terms sign them on July 1 of the academic year in which they turn 16. Those who have agreed to additional professional agreements can sign them on their 17th birthday, the first of which would be in September. 1. Every summer a 30-day window is opened for boys to change academy, provided terms can be agreed between the two clubs.

Premier League academy players with EU passports can move to EU clubs to receive compensation stipulated by FIFA. Obi-Martin left Denmark’s youth team – Kjobenhavns Boldklub – at the age of 14 to join Arsenal’s academy.

Post-Brexit, the best youngsters with EU passports in Premier League academies are viable targets for clubs in Germany, who can offer them professional contracts, as well as first-team football, sooner than they would expect in England. Ultimately, these players can be sold back at a profit to Premier League clubs if they achieve success in the European leagues.

FIFA’s compensation is cheaper than the rates set by the Elite Player Performance Plan, which governs player transfers between English club academies. FIFA compensation is paid to the original club for each move a player makes until the end of the season in which he turns 23. Calculating the value of a transfer from a club like Arsenal would depend on the tier rating of the club Obi-Martin moved to and the number of years after the 12 years he played for Arsenal.

Obi-Martin recently signed a deal with Elite Project Group, the talent representation group led by agent Emeka Obasi who oversaw Jadon Sancho’s original transfer to Borussia Dortmund.

Elite also represents Arsenal first-team players Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah, and former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who transferred to Monaco last summer. Another player on their list is England youth international Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who now represents Dortmund after leaving Manchester City’s academy.

Arsenal had to fight hard to secure the future of another top academy prospect, Ethan Nwaneri, who is the youngest player in the history of the Premier League. Nwaneri had serious interest from other Premier League teams, but ultimately decided to stay in North London and now signed his first professional contract. He regularly trains with Mikel Arteta’s first team and featured in a Premier League match against West Ham United earlier this season.

Arsenal declined to comment.

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