Why Chido Obi-Martin has not completed Manchester United move yet

Manchester United agreed a deal to sign Arsenal starlet Chido Obi-Martin on an initial scholarship deal earlier this summer.

Obi Martin was regarded as the top academy talent at the Gunners after scoring 32 goals for their Under-18s side last season.

However, he chose not to sign a scholarship deal with the London club and started exploring other options, including a visit to United’s Carrington training facilities.

Multiple reports confirmed that he had agreed to join United in late July, with the potential pathway to first-team football being a critical factor in his decision.

Fabrizio Romano also noted that the young forward rejected higher salary offers from Bundesliga clubs to join the Reds.

Since then, however, there has been little news surrounding the 16-year-old forward, and there has been no official announcement from the player or club either.

Obi-Martin has posted individual training clips on his social media platforms, and there are no concerns surrounding the deal.

AcademyScoop, the journalist who broke the initial story, has stated that the delay in an official announcement for Obi Martin is nothing to worry about.

He explained that, along with talented winger Samuel Lusale, Obi Martin’s deal must go through the Premier League’s ratification process, which is a regularity for these types of deals.

“For those asking – the deals for Chido Obi-Martin and Samuel Lusale are completely sealed,” he wrote on X.

“The delay being that both remain subject to the Premier League’s ratification process, which can take several weeks, and are commonplace for all deals of this nature.”

Obi Martin’s role once he joins the club is somewhat uncertain. Some reports have claimed he would be considered the third-choice first-team striker behind Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee while also getting minutes in the club’s youth teams.

However, other reports have suggested that the teenager will solely be with the academy teams when he joins, with the opportunity to train with Erik ten Hag’s squad at Carrington.

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