Arsenal hoping to convince youngster Ethan Nwaneri to agree scholarship terms before Friday

Arsenal are hoping to convince Ethan Nwaneri to agree scholarship terms before his schoolboy registration runs out on Friday, reports the Evening Standard.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came on against Brentford last September.

Nwaneri is highly rated by Arsenal, but they face competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Both clubs are monitoring the situation of the teenage midfielder, but academy manager Per Mertesacker, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu have all stepped in.

The trio are all involved in talks to convince the England under-17 international to remain with the Gunners.

Arsenal have made an attractive offer to Nwaneri, who he can sign professional terms once he turns 17.

They have tried to map out a pathway for him to the first team, handing him his debut and occasionally involving him in first-team training.

Nwaneri joined the team when they went to Dubai for their mid-season training camp last December.

He featured for Mikel Arteta’s side against Slough Town in a pre-season friendly and made his debut for the Gunners under-18s aged 14.

Nwaneri joined Arsenal aged nine and has grown through their youth ranks, featuring for both the under-18s and under-21s last term.

He is primarily a number 10 but can also play on both wings and in a box-to-box role.

Arsenal do not want to lose one of the country’s top prospects but the ball is in the player’s court.

They will be due compensation after a tribunal hearing if Nwaneri leaves.

The North London club are likely to receive a higher amount because he has made his competitive debut, but convincing him to stay remains the plan.