Liverpool have been credited with having an interest in Arsenal's record-breaking prodigy Ethan Nwaneri.
The 15-year-old made Premier League history on Sunday afternoon when he became the youngster player to appear in the competition after he was introduced by manager Mikel Arteta in the closing stages of the Gunners' 3-0 victory at Brentford.
Nwaneri broke the record that had been set by Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott in May 2019, when he was plying his trade as a 16-year-old scholar for Fulham.
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The Times reports that Liverpool and Manchester City are among two Premier League clubs interested in Nwaneri, who has reportedly been fast-tracked to the Gunners' senior set-up as a result.
At just 15 years of age, Nwarneri is yet to even sign a scholarship with Arsenal, something he will do - if he chooses to stay - once he turns 16 in March. He also will not be able to sign professional terms with Arteta's side until he turns 17, in March 2024.
Speaking after the game, the Gunners boss explained the decision to hand the teenager a surprise Premier League debut.
“It was a feeling that I had yesterday, I don’t know why,” Arteta told Arsenal.com after the victory in West London.
“The first day I met him I looked him in his eyes and everyone was telling me about him, Per (Mertesacker, Arsenal academy manager) was telling me about him, and because of the injuries we only have 12 or 13 senior players yesterday to put in the squad and we decided to bring him, and that’s it.
“It’s one step, one experience, so enjoy it and congratulations!"
Further to the Times' report, the ECHO understands that Liverpool had been 'very interested' in the possibility of bringing the 15-year-old to Merseyside this summer, following his sensational rise through the Gunners' academy in recent years.
If the Reds were successful in their pursuit of Nwaneri, they would be forced to pay a compensation fee, as is the case with out-of-contract players under the age of 24 in England. In such a situation, if they would be unable to agree on a fee with Arsenal, the case would go to a tribunal, heard by the Professional Football Compensation Committee, to determine the amount of compensation required.
This was the same process Liverpool went through in 2019 when they signed Elliott from Fulham, aged just 16, after they were unable to agree a fee with the London-based club. As it transpired, the Reds ended up paying a record fee for an U16s player in Elliott - £1.5m plus a potential £2.8m in bonuses.
Speaking to The Times, his headteacher, Alexander Tardios, lauded Nwaneri, saying: "He is unbelievable, the new Wayne Rooney."
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