Manchester City are not pursuing Arsenal forward Chido Obi Martin, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on X, Romano said that the Premier League champions are “not in the race” for the striker who has been compared to Erling Haaland.
Obi Martin scored 32 times for Arsenal’s Under 18s last season, despite the fact that he is only 16 years of age, and the Gunners were desperate to keep him at their Hale End Academy.
However, Romano has confirmed that the teenager has rejected a “big proposal” to stay in London and he is now free to join another team.
Who are the favourites to sign Obi Martin?
It is believed that the youngster went to Manchester United’s training ground last week, prompting speculation that he could move to the Red Devils.
There are, though, other clubs involved in the race for his signature, including Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco.
City are recruiting several players for their academy this summer
While it appears that Obi Martin won’t be plying his trade at the Etihad, several other youth players are set to be brought in over the coming days and weeks.
Ryan McAidoo reportedly had his medical last week ahead of completing his move from Chelsea. It has also been claimed that the Cityzens have won the battle for England Under 16 captain Harrison Miles.
The defender is currently a free agent after leaving Southampton, and he was linked with Arsenal, but it looks like he will make the switch to Manchester like McAidoo.
In addition to those two players, City are said to be lining up an approach for Xavier Parker. The midfielder is in West Ham’s youth setup, having made a couple of brief cameo appearances for their Under 18s last season.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here