Blues target Gunners teenager

Manchester City have set their sights on Arsenal midfielder Mishel Nduka after the 16-year-old's contract with the north London club expired this week.

The teenager is now free to discuss terms with interested parties, and City are among a host of clubs looking to take advantage.

The move for Nduka fits into Hugo Viana's broader strategy at the Etihad. The director of football has placed greater emphasis on academy and under-age recruitment, and City have shown they are willing to compete for the best young talent regardless of where they currently play.

There is a clear reason for the timing. The club are braced for further midfield departures before the window closes, with a number of personnel decisions still to be resolved as Enzo Maresca continues to shape his squad for the 2026-27 campaign.

According to The Secret Scout on X, City view Nduka as the ideal replacement should two midfielders leave the club this summer.

Arsenal have not taken the interest lying down. They have responded by offering improved terms in an attempt to keep the player they have developed through their youth ranks.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool are all aware of Nduka's situation, but the report suggests those clubs are focused elsewhere for now. That leaves City and Arsenal in a straight two-horse race for the youngster's signature.

It gives City a degree of clarity in their pursuit, but also ramps up the pressure on Arsenal to present terms convincing enough to keep him.

City's record in this area is well established. The academy has produced a steady stream of players who have either made the step up to the first team or generated decent fees in the market.

Arsenal's counter-offer reflects how highly they rate Nduka and the concern within their coaching staff at losing a player they have developed from a young age to a domestic rival — particularly this one.

Whether City can convince him to choose the Etihad over staying in London will likely come down to the ambitions of the teenager and his family as much as the financial and footballing terms on offer.