Manchester United have snatched young attacking prodigy Chido Obi-Martin from rivals Arsenal.
The Red Devils have made necessary efforts to secure the Dane’s services, a news that has left an unpleasant taste in the mouth of Gunners supporters.
Arsenal fans are unhappy to be losing such a bright prospect, who has accentuated brilliance for the youth teams of the club.
The Danish youngster has been likened to former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie due to his height and surreal finishing ability.
Obi-Martin starred during the last Under 18 Premier League season, scoring 32 goals and providing 3 assists in 18 appearances.
Chido Obi-Martin was in search of a club where he could develop his craft and grow into a top player, and it appears he has found that in Manchester United.
Why Chido Obi-Martin Dumped Arsenal For Manchester United?
His decision to join Manchester United could be due to seeing players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo excelling at the top level.
These players are all graduates of the Manchester United academy and they are key names at the English club.
According to reports, Manchester United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy held direct talks with Chido Obi-Martin to present him with the club’s long-term project.
Van Nistelrooy played a crucial role in convincing Obi-Martin to join the Old Trafford giants.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also claimed that Manchester United’s project and the club’s pathway to first-team football was what sealed the deal.
Chido Obi had the chance to accept higher proposals from German clubs but he chose the Red Devils, possibly because of the positive energy oozing out of the English side.
There has also been data showing the minutes played by teenagers in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Manchester United gave teenagers 4,924 minutes, while Arsenal offered teenagers just 13 minutes of Premier League action.
Moreover, there have also been speculations that the Red Devils gladly agreed to double Chido Obi-Martin’s £15,000 per week wage at Arsenal and that proved key in his decision to sign the dotted lines with Manchester United.
Who Is Chido Obi-Martin?
Chido Obi-Martin is a Danish footballer currently playing as a forward for Premier League club Arsenal but is expected to exit the club this summer.
Obi-Martin was born in Glostrup, Denmark, on November 29, 2007, to a Danish mother and an Igbo-Nigerian father.
Chido Obi-Martin made the news on November 18, 2023, scoring 10 goals as Arsenal’s under-16 team defeated Liverpool’s side by 14 – 3.
Moreover, Obi-Martin made the headlines once again on April 27, 2024, scoring 7 goals for Arsenal’s Under-18 in their 9-0 win over Norwich City.
Chido Obi-Martin International Career
The 16-year-old is eligible to represent Denmark, England, and Nigeria at senior international level.
Obi made five appearances in late 2022 for Denmark’s under-16 side, before switching allegiance to England and representing them twice at under-16 level in February 2023.
However, in April 2023, he returned to the Danish under-16 team, scoring twice in three appearances.
His breathtaking goal-scoring form earned him an invitation to the Danish under-17 side, and he netted 3 goals in Denmark’s six 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification matches.
Chido Obi-Martin helped Denmark qualify for the tournament proper, where he scored 2 goals in 5 games.
Obi-Martin’s performance at the tournament saw him being included in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament.
His Market Value?
His market value according to Transfermkt is €400,000.
Manchester United’s academy has over time been praised for its ability to churn out talents who have gone on to do great things in their careers.
It will be fascinating to see where the career of Obi-Martin is headed, given the qualities that he has displayed thus far in his teenage years.
Certainly, his fans will be hoping that any club he decides to join will be the best for him and his football career.
