AC Milan eye Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri as €35m long‑term gamble

AC Milan are seeking to add an attacking midfielder, viewing 19‑year‑old Arsenal Ethan Nwaneri as a long‑term investment and opening talks with the Gunners to secure a permanent move. The Italian side see the 2007‑born midfielder as a solution to bolster creativity in midfield and are prepared to commit a substantial fee.

The midfielder is valued at roughly €35 million. Born in 2007, Nwaneri still has four years left on the contract he signed last summer, meaning any deal would be a substantial financial commitment for the Serie A club.

AC Milan have formally contacted Arsenal to assess the midfielder’s availability. The move was prompted by growing interest across Europe and has been captured in a photo by Nathan Stirk.

Transfer journalist Matteo Moretto disclosed the development while speaking on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel, confirming Milan have identified Nwaneri as a player of interest and have begun enquiries into his contractual terms. Moretto said, “I’d like to talk about an exclusive. It’s a new name: Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal’s attacking midfielder, born in 2007, is a very interesting player with great technical ability, he’s the kind of player AC Milan are interested in.”

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He warned that competition is fierce, noting that Leipzig in the Bundesliga and Premier League clubs Everton and Fulham are also tracking the 19‑year‑old, underscoring the market’s appetite for the youngster.

According to the source, Arsenal would be willing to let Nwaneri leave, preferring a permanent transfer that retains full control of the player while keeping long‑term interests protected.

Earlier this summer, reports indicated Arsenal were open to allowing several players to depart, though Nwaneri’s situation was described as less clear. The BBC and The Athletic later reported the Gunners are giving serious consideration to a sale, leaving his future uncertain.

A €35 million outlay would be a notable investment for a Serie A side, especially after Nwaneri’s limited impact during a loan spell at Marseille last season. A successful deal would mark a significant investment in youth talent amid an increasingly aggressive transfer market.