Manchester City have won the race for Mishel Nduka, the 16-year-old England youth midfielder who will leave Arsenal after just one season at the club. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, an agreement is in place for the teenager to join on scholarship terms, with a medical expected imminently.
Arsenal did not go quietly. They tabled competitive scholarship terms to keep a player they had identified as a key part of their long-term academy pipeline. Manchester United also entered the race. City prevailed anyway.
Another academy coup
Nduka, born on 3 April 2010, joined Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in September 2025 and made an immediate impression: 10 Under-18 appearances, two at Premier League 2 level, a UEFA Youth League outing, and seven England Under-16 caps. He will join City initially on scholarship terms, with a professional contract to follow once he reaches the eligible age.
The move is another sign that Hugo Viana's first summer at the club is delivering at both senior and youth levels. Enzo Maresca's arrival has done nothing to slow the long-term planning. City's Youth Cup win in May — a 2-1 final victory over United — and the sight of Nico O'Reilly progressing through the system to play for England at a World Cup provide the selling points. They clearly still work.