'Trust me': Fabrizio Romano shares what happened between Arsenal and Chido Obi-Martin during contract talks

Arsenal look set to lose Chido Obi-Martin this summer, and Manchester United are said to be pushing to sign him.

The Gunners have done a great job with their academy in recent years. They have developed some truly excellent players, and Obi-Martin is one of them.

The 16-year-old scored 32 goals in the U18 Premier League in the 2023/24 season. He did so in just 16 games, which is an unbelievable record.

Arsenal fans thought they had a future star on their hands, but all signs point towards an exit now.

Fabrizio Romano explains everything Arsenal did to convince Chido Obi-Martin to stay

Obi-Martin’s future has been up in the air for quite some time now.

Arsenal have been in constant talks to keep the youngster at the club. They have been pushing to retain him for a few months now.

However, things haven’t been easy.

Massive clubs like Real Madrid have been keen to sign Obi-Martin this summer. German heavyweights Bayern Munich have also been linked with Obi-Martin.

Arsenal did everything they could to convince him to stay, but David Ornstein revealed that Obi-Martin has decided to move on.

Reports have claimed that Obi-Martin is in talks to join Manchester United and has even visited their training ground recently.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has detailed Arsenal’s efforts behind the scenes to keep Obi-Martin at the club.

He said on PlayBack: “Arsenal consider the player gone. Let me say this, Arsenal did a fantastic effort to keep Chido at the club.

“Arsenal offered a really important contract, very big money – trust me, very big for a player who is a part of the academy. Also, they involved Mikel Arteta in the conversation.

“Arsenal tried until the end to keep Chido in every possible way. No chance. Chido decided to go. Chido decided something different and now, Manchester United are pushing for Chido Obi-Martin.”

Should Obi-Martin join Manchester United?

Arsenal have done everything they could to keep hold of Obi-Martin.

The Gunners, who have been in talks with the youngster’s camp for a long time now, offered big money. He was also invited to first-team training sessions by Arteta and the Arsenal boss even held talks to convince him to stay.

However, Obi-Martin has decided that he wants to leave, and he is entitled to do what he wants. But, a move to Manchester United makes absolutely no sense.

The Red Devils have two fairly young strikers in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in their first team. That blocks Obi-Martin from getting anywhere near the senior setup anytime soon.

That is a shame as at Arsenal, there is no prolific striker ahead of the 16-year-old in the academy, and the pathway to Arteta’s side was there for everyone to see.

If Obi-Martin decides to join Manchester United, we think it will be a poor decision.