Man Utd can repeat Chido Obi-Martin transfer and deal another blow to Arsenal

Manchester United could repeat their heist of Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin, with another of the Gunners' exciting prospects potentially heading out the exit door, according to reports. Arsenal are reportedly facing a fight to keep teenage defender Ayden Heaven as several Premier League rivals seek his signature.

The north London giants suffered a major blow when Obi-Martin left the club to join United's academy on a free transfer in the summer.

The 17-year-old striker is already making waves in Manchester, scoring seven goals in as many matches for the Red Devils' under-18 team.

Arsenal have a similar reputation to United for promoting young talent into the first team.

Bukayo Saka has headlined the Gunners' recent graduates, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are other examples currently involved in Mikel Arteta's senior squad.

However, Hale End have also lost a number of talented prospects in recent years, including Obi-Martin. Omari Hutchinson is now a key player at Ipswich Town after leaving for rivals Chelsea.

And Heaven could be the next to slip through Arsenal's fingers after seemingly rejecting the club's efforts to secure a professional contract.

According to TBR Football, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United have joined United in expressing an active interest in the 18-year-old.

Arsenal reportedly recently offered the England youth international a professional contract when he turned 18 in September.

However, he has not put pen to paper, leaving the Gunners with work to do to convince him there is a path to first-team football.

The report adds that there is great interest across Europe. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Marseille have also been credited as suitors.

Arteta has named Heaven, who can play as a centre-back and left-back, on the bench in Premier League matches this season, including two last month.

Heaven played for Arsenal during pre-season, including against United in Los Angeles, when Arteta showered the starlet with praise.

“Very impressive. At 17 years old, I don't know how many players are capable of doing that in a stadium like this,” Arteta explained after the friendly against United.

“He lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world. [Rasmus Hojlund]. It can happen.

“But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language he had was all remarkable. I'm really happy with him.”