Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City Set to Compete for World-Class Defender Amid Growing Tensions at AC Milan
Exclusive sources reveal that top Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City are closely monitoring the uncertain future of AC Milan’s star left-back, Theo Hernandez. Despite early interest from Chelsea since May, even with their current options like Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell, the chase for Hernandez has intensified due to his contract situation.
The French international, whose current deal with Milan expires in just 18 months, has yet to agree to an extension, with AC Milan failing to convince him of his future at the club. Hernandez’s relationship with manager Paulo Fonseca has also soured unexpectedly, despite his standout performances for France at the European Championships. This discord, coupled with his limited playing time this season, has caught the attention of Premier League heavyweights.
While Bayern Munich is also lurking as a potential suitor, the Italian giants’ internal issues have created an intriguing opportunity for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. These clubs, all long-time admirers of Hernandez, are now poised to take advantage of Milan’s faltering negotiations.
With Hernandez’s future in doubt, the Premier League trio are closely monitoring the situation, preparing for a potential bidding war that could reshape the left-back market. As Hernandez’s contract talks continue to stall, the possibility of the 27-year-old joining one of these English powerhouses has become a tantalizing prospect.
With Gabriel Martinelli impressing as a right-winger during Arsenal’s recent win at Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta is now faced with a pressing dilemma as the festive period approaches. Both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard will need additional support on the wings, especially with Raheem Sterling’s untimely injury further complicating matters.
Sterling, expected to step in as a backup for Bukayo Saka, might not be available for the crucial fixtures ahead. This opens the door for the highly-rated Ethan Nwaneri, who could be the surprise solution Arteta has been waiting for. Having recently praised Nwaneri’s readiness for the next step, Arteta may look to integrate him more into the first-team squad, similar to how he trusted Fabio Vieira earlier in the year.
Vieira’s stint as a right-winger, though brief, showed promise during pre-season, and Arteta’s experimentation with versatile players like Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe has helped make space for Nwaneri. Should both Saka and Sterling be sidelined, Nwaneri’s fearless approach could make him the ideal candidate to step up.
Additionally, Nwaneri’s potential partnership with Martin Ødegaard offers an exciting prospect for Arsenal fans. While typically one or the other has taken center stage in the attacking setup, the duo could complement each other perfectly, similar to the dynamic that sees Saka and Ødegaard thrive on the right wing. If Arteta chooses to give Nwaneri a prominent role, this could be a game-changing move for the Gunners, with the youngster set to play a key part in their festive fixture rush.
