Liverpool Cool Interest in Arsenal Starlet Ethan Nwaneri

Liverpool have cooled talk of a move for Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri, despite serious admiration for the teenager’s talent.

Claims on Wednesday from a self-styled “team of five elite reporters” on X suggested Liverpool and Arsenal had spent “all day” locked in high-level talks over a summer transfer for the 17-year-old. The posts even stated Arsenal were looking to sell Nwaneri in this window.

That version of events has been firmly challenged.

Anfield Sector, a Liverpool-focused outlet, insisted the Anfield hierarchy are not preparing a bid. Their line was clear: while Liverpool rate Nwaneri highly, there is “no desire to complete a transfer currently as things stand.”

So the admiration is real. The pursuit is not.

Liverpool’s wide plan stays focused on PSG

Liverpool are in the market for a right-sided attacker as they begin to plan for life after Mohamed Salah. Nwaneri, who can operate off the right or as a No 10, had been floated as a surprise candidate alongside more established options.

But the Merseyside club’s primary targets in the wide areas remain Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. Talks with PSG are ongoing, with the French champions slapping a huge combined price tag of around €200million (£171m) on the pair. Liverpool are working to drive that figure down rather than diverting attention towards Nwaneri.

For now, the Arsenal youngster is not on their active list.

Arsenal’s stance: not for sale – unless the deal is right

Arsenal, for their part, have not been openly touting Nwaneri or fellow academy talent Myles Lewis-Skelly, but they have left the door ajar for the right proposal.

Asked about speculation around the pair, Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick acknowledged the growing interest.

“There’s been a lot of speculation around players,” he said. “I can’t stop other clubs being interested. I think Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and has started this one really well – we’re very, very happy with him.

“Ethan has had a great pre-season as well and I think it’s just a case of looking at what opportunities there are that will help both of those in terms of their career moving forward. We are not actively looking at selling those homegrown players but if the right opportunity came up – right for them and the club – we’d obviously consider that.”

Arsenal know what they have. They also know the market.

Reports place Nwaneri’s valuation in the £35-50m bracket, and any sale is expected to come with a buy-back clause attached, protecting the Gunners if the youngster explodes elsewhere.

Nwaneri’s market heats up

While Liverpool step back, the queue for Nwaneri is forming quickly.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that interest in the midfielder is widespread. AC Milan have made contact with Arsenal, as have clubs from Germany and Turkish giants Galatasaray. On top of that, Premier League rivals are circling.

“There is a feeling at Arsenal that Premier League clubs are now going to knock on the door and try to get a deal done for Ethan Nwaneri,” Romano said.

The expectation at London Colney is that multiple formal proposals will arrive. At that point, the decision will fall to Nwaneri and those closest to him.

“So there’s going to be a lot of movement on the boy,” Romano added. “He’ll be a very interesting market opportunity, but at the same time it’s Nwaneri deciding with his agents and family, so we have to wait and see what’s going to happen there.”

TEAMtalk reported on Thursday that Borussia Dortmund are also in the hunt. The Bundesliga club, renowned for turning young English talent into stars, are actively searching for a new winger and hold “concrete” interest in Nwaneri.

Liverpool, then, are stepping aside. The race for one of England’s brightest prospects is still very much on – just with a different cast of contenders.