Fabrizio Romano claims Man United have offered Chido Obi-Martin first team football

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Chido Obi-Martin has been promised a role in Manchester United’s first team when he joins the club.

The 16 year old starlet looks to have been plucked from Arsenal’s academy and is set to join the Red Devils imminently, having rejected several other offers.

Speaking on his YouTube channel this morning, Romano said:

“This kind of deal is something Ineos, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and all the people in the club are planning to do for present and future, to sign top talents and get the opportunities for this kind of player.

“United were in a big battle to sign this player, because we have to be fair and say Arsenal made a very big proposal to Chido Obi Martin … Mikel Arteta was also involved.

“But Chido is ready to go to United. Why? Because of the project. The project is obviously Hojlund, Zirkzee, these are the two strikers. But behind them, Chido Obi Martin will be considered the third striker currently at Manchester United.

“So this is the idea, to have a player who obviously can be for the academy, but also helpful for the first team when they will need.

“Pathway, this is what Manchester United have offered the player.”

This is very significant news for three reasons.

First, it highlights the regard in which United hold the young forward. To offer a player so young first team football is quite astonishing.

Second, it suggests that the Red Devils will not be signing another striker this summer.

There have been links with a number of stars, including Brentford’s Ivan Toney, but if Romano’s news is accurate, this does not now look like it will happen.

Third, it suggests that Ethan Wheatley will not be making the step up the first team this season and is likely to go out on loan.

Ineos are certainly setting out to gather the world’s top young talent, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe promised when he said “I think in a way what I would rather do is try to sign the next Mbappé than spend a fortune trying to buy success.” Fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing Obi-Martin in action alongside other young stars such as Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

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