SHOCK TRANSFER BOMBSHELL! West Ham Have ALREADY Sealed £35M Deal Behind Closed Doors – January Arrival CONFIRMED?!
West Ham United are said to be showing strong interest in signing Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, according to Football London.
After progressing through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, the highly rated youngster was handed his senior debut in 2022 at just 15 years of age, making history as the youngest player ever to appear in a Premier League match.
His early breakthrough highlighted his immense potential, but consistent opportunities proved difficult to come by during the early stages of his development.
Under Mikel Arteta, regular minutes were initially limited, with competition for places restricting his involvement.
However, his situation changed last season when Bukayo Saka suffered a lengthy injury setback, allowing the teenager to enjoy a sustained run in the side and showcase his ability at the highest level.
That spell played a key role in his continued rise within the first-team setup.
Last summer, the midfielder committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract extension that runs until 2030, underlining Arsenal’s faith in his talent.
Despite that vote of confidence, the arrival of attacking reinforcements Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke has made breaking into Arteta’s preferred starting XI far more challenging this season.
So far, the 18-year-old has yet to start a Premier League fixture and has only been named in the starting line-up four times across domestic cup competitions.
As a result, questions have begun to surface regarding his immediate future as the January transfer window unfolds.
According to Football London, West Ham United are keen to capitalise on his lack of minutes and have already made enquiries about the possibility of signing him on loan until the end of the campaign.
Bournemouth are also monitoring the situation, viewing him as a potential replacement for Antoine Semenyo following his move to Manchester City earlier this month.
However, Arsenal are reportedly reluctant to sanction any departure.
The club believe a loan move is unnecessary for his development, and Arteta is unwilling to weaken his squad midway through a season in which they are competing on multiple fronts.
Valued at approximately £35 million by Transfermarkt, the left-footed playmaker is known for his creativity, versatility, and technical quality.
He can operate centrally or on the right, is comfortable using both feet, excels in tight spaces, and possesses the ability to score from range.
Meanwhile, West Ham are urgently seeking reinforcements after a poor first half of the season, with Nuno Espirito Santo desperate for added quality as the club battles relegation.
The Hammers have already signed Pablo Vicente and Taty Castellanos following Niclas Fullkrug’s departure, and are also exploring creative midfield options amid Lucas Paqueta’s desire to leave.
