Arsenal lose 16-year-old prospect Michael Nduka to Manchester City
Arsenal's 16-year-old academy midfielder Michael Nduka has rejected a new contract and agreed to join Manchester City. The England youth international, who joined Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in 2025, played for Arsenal's U18 and U21 teams. He will initially join City on scholarship terms, with a professional contract to follow. The move highlights City's aggressive recruitment of young talent from rival academies, following their £12.5 million signing of Jeremy Monga from Leicester City.
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Manchester City to sign Arsenal teenager Mishel Nduka after contract rejection
Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal's 16-year-old midfielder Mishel Nduka, who rejected a new long-term contract at the Emirates. Nduka, an England youth international, moved to Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in 2025 and played for the club's Under-18s and Under-21s. He is expected to undergo a medical imminently before joining City on scholarship terms, likely leading to a professional deal. The transfer follows City's recent signing of 17-year-old Jeremy Monga from Leicester City for a total package worth £12.5 million. Arsenal have lost several young prospects in recent years, including Ayden Heaven to Manchester United and Chido Obi-Martin. City's academy has produced stars like Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Nico O'Reilly, and new manager Enzo Maresca will be tasked with integrating young talent like Nduka into the first team.
Manchester City to sign Arsenal teenager Mishel Nduka after contract rejection
Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal's 16-year-old midfielder Mishel Nduka, who rejected a new long-term contract at the Emirates. Nduka, an England youth international, moved to Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in 2025 and played for the club's Under-18s and Under-21s. He is expected to undergo a medical imminently before joining City on scholarship terms, likely leading to a professional deal. The move follows City's recent signing of 17-year-old Jeremy Monga from Leicester City for £12.5m, a player Arsenal also pursued but backed out due to the price. The article notes Arsenal's recent loss of other youth prospects, including Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin, who moved to Manchester United. City's academy success stories include Phil Foden, Nico O'Reilly, and Rico Lewis, with new manager Enzo Maresca expected to integrate young talent like Nduka.
Arsenal lose promising prospect Mishel Nduka to Manchester City in academy blow
Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old midfielder Mishel Nduka from Arsenal, dealing a significant blow to Mikel Arteta's academy retention efforts. Nduka, an England youth international, rejected Arsenal's competitive long-term contract offer in favor of joining City's scholarship program, with a professional deal to follow when he becomes eligible. Arsenal had only recruited Nduka from Charlton Athletic in September 2025. The teenager had already progressed above his age group, making 10 appearances for Arsenal's U18s in the 2025/26 season, featuring in the UEFA Youth League, and playing at U21 level. The move highlights the fierce competition among Premier League clubs for academy talent and City's aggressive recruitment strategy targeting young players from rival academies.
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16-year-old Arsenal prospect Michael Nduka rejects contract, set to join Manchester City
Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign 16-year-old midfield prospect Michael Nduka after he rejected a new contract offer from Arsenal, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein. The England youth international is expected to undergo a medical soon and join City as a scholarship player, with a professional contract to follow. Nduka moved to Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in 2025 and played for the U18 and U21 teams. This follows City's earlier signing of 17-year-old Jeremy Monga from Leicester City for a total of £12.5 million, a deal Arsenal withdrew from due to the high cost. Additionally, England youth international Haven Kilwa is expected to join City after rejecting a scholarship offer from Aston Villa.
Arsenal's 16-Year-Old Academy Star Michael Nduka Set to Sign for Manchester City
According to an exclusive report by the Daily Mail, Arsenal's 16-year-old academy midfielder Michael Nduka is about to sign for Manchester City. Nduka joined Arsenal's academy in September 2025 after eight years at Charlton Athletic. The technically gifted midfielder turned 16 in April and was named in Arsenal's U21 squad twice last season, also playing in a UEFA Youth League U19 match. He made 10 appearances for Arsenal's U18 team and has seven caps for England's U16 side. Arsenal had hoped to sign Nduka to a new long-term contract after his scholarship deal expired on June 30, but he chose to leave. The departure of academy director Per Mertesacker may have complicated negotiations. Arsenal recently appointed Strasbourg's Pascal de Maesschalck as the new academy director to stabilize youth operations.