(Football news) The 16-year-old decided against renewing his contract with Arsenal over the summer despite enjoying a spectacular 2023-24 campaign for the club, scoring 32 goals in 18 appearances for the club’s Under-18s.
There was a scramble for his services over the summer, with a number of lucrative offers said to have been placed on the table, but Manchester United quickly moved to the head of the queue for his signature.
An announcement from the 20-time English champions regarding the deal has not yet been made, though, as the move has been subject to the Premier League’s five-step investigation, which is required when a player switches between two Category One academies.
Obi Martin allegedly underwent his medical with Manchester United earlier this summer and has already agreed personal terms, meaning that a deal could be completed once the Premier League gave the green light.
Manchester United ‘complete the signing’ of Obi Martin
According to MUFC Youth, the deal is now official, with an announcement from the Red Devils imminent.
“Exclusive: Chido Obi Martin has officially signed his Manchester United contract today,” they wrote on X.
However, it will take time before the forward is potentially considered for first-team selection, as he has missed the majority of pre-season and will need to get used to his new surroundings.
Obi Martin managed 28 goals in his last nine games of last season for Arsenal Under-18s, while he famously scored 10 times in a single game for Arsenal Under-16s against Liverpool Under-16s last November.
The forward’s numbers were incredible last term, hitting five against West Ham United Under-18s and seven against Norwich City Under-18s towards the end of last season, and he trained with Arsenal’s first-team squad in 2023-24.
Could Obi Martin make his Man United debut this season?
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has allegedly told Obi Martin that he will be the number three forward at the club behind Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee once he arrives at Old Trafford.
Obi Martin will be 17 at the end of next month, and it is not impossible to imagine him transitioning into first-team training with the Red Devils in the second half of the campaign.
Depending on how he progresses and performs over the next few months, it is entirely possible that he could be in some first-team squads before the end of the season.
Ten Hag is said to have Obi Martin in his thoughts for the second half of the campaign, but it remains to be seen whether the manager sees out the season due to the ongoing pressure.
Manchester United’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has addressed the sack rumours ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa, which could potentially mark the end of the manager’s time at Old Trafford.
Also read: Manchester City scouts 22-year-old as replacement for Kevin de Bruyne
