Arsenal Set Contract Timeline For Max Dowman Amid International Interest—report

Arsenal are reported to person secured nan semipermanent early of teenage midfielder Max Dowman, who made his debut for nan Gunners successful August, aged conscionable 15.

Dowman precocious became nan 2nd youngest subordinate successful Arsenal history, down only existent teammate Ethan Nwaneri, having earlier joined nan first-team squad during preseason.

But owed to his age—unable to motion a statement successful nan aforesaid measurement arsenic a elder pro would—Dowman’s early has been vulnerable. In theory, he could person near astatine immoderate constituent for different club, which is not an uncommon believe successful academy football.

The Athletic has reported that, contempt liking from “many of nan world’s starring teams”, Dowman is “determined” to proceed his profession pinch Arsenal instead. The youngster comes from a family of Gunners fans and talks complete nan adjacent measurement were handled by his father.

Dowman played successful nan Premier League astatine 15 / Visionhaus/Getty Images

There is an “agreement” successful spot for Dowman to motion danasiwa terms, aft which a first master statement will follow. Until now, he has been connected schoolboy terms, but nan move to caller danasiwa status, nan shape earlier becoming a master player, is “being finalised”.

It locks Dowman successful for up to 2 years, though Arsenal will beryllium capable to connection a master statement arsenic soon arsenic January. Those position wouldn’t past footwear successful until nan pursuing year, January 2027, but tin beryllium negotiated and pre-agreed from erstwhile Dowman, calved connected December 31, 2009, turns 16.

Mikel Arteta has ne'er feared putting very young players successful his squad if he believes them up to nan challenge, arsenic antecedently evidenced by handing nan aforementioned Nwaneri a derby successful 2022. Bukayo Saka was inherited but has thrived nether nan Spaniard, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is different example.

When Dowman made his debut, Arteta said it was “clear” that nan remainder of nan squad already person a affirmative sentiment astir him—“...because they kept connected passing him nan ball”.

The head elaborated: “It is awesome to beryllium capable to alteration nan power successful nan stadium by bringing him successful and he had an impact. He won a punishment connected his debut astatine nan Emirates. That’s incredible.

“It’s in installments to his family, nan measurement these kids person been raised and nan situation created. They are not overwhelmed by nan situation and context. And nan activity of nan academy, for helping to raise these kids successful that mode pinch nan assurance and knowing of nan crippled astatine conscionable 15 years old.”

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS AND MORE