Max Dowman is set to sign scholarship terms with Arsenal, although reports that a professional deal are all but secured are wide of the mark, Arsenal Insider understands.
The youngster has impressed in his limited opportunities thus far this season, thriving off the bench in games against Leeds and Port Vale.
Delivering such mature displays against senior sides has unsurprisingly sparked interest from other clubs looking to snap him up before he’s able to sign a professional contract.
However, it emerged on Thursday that Dowman is set to sign a scholarship deal, rejecting approaches from the likes of Barcelona.
Scholarship deal doesn’t prevent Max Dowman from signing for another club
Dowman is the most highly rated 15-year-old footballer on the planet.
Scouts across Europe have been aware of his talent since he was very young, and thus, it’s no surprise that Arsenal have a fight on their hands to tie him down.
He is now expected to sign scholarship terms with the Gunners, and some reports suggest that a professional deal is already in the works for when he turns 17 in December 2026.
However, transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that these reports are somewhat ‘wide of the mark’ and that Dowman agreeing to scholarship terms does not guarantee he will be an Arsenal player in the future.
“There’s only a limit to what a player on a scholarship can earn,” he said.
“There’s only a limit to what a player can can get before he’s 17 or on a pro deal. He’s agreed terms on his scholarship, but that doesn’t secure him at Arsenal. I think people are going over the top here. I’m told Arsenal are massively playing this down.
“His people were not talking to any other club, they really weren’t. They’re Arsenal through and through at the minute.
“Clearly they know there’s interest out there from other clubs, but some of the reporting is so wide of the mark. Him agreeing this does nothing to stop a Chelsea or Liverpool from, in theory, taking him in January.
“A scholarship essentially means nothing, and I think people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. That’s not to say Dowman wants to go anywhere, it’s just that the reporting is going a bit strong on him being completely signed up for the long-term already.”
Arsenal shouldn’t have to worry about Max Dowman’s future
While the reports may have got carried away regarding Dowman’s contractual situation, the Gunners have nothing to fear.
As Bailey alluded to, the starlet and his family are happy at Arsenal, and view the club as the perfect place for him to continue his development.
Dowman plans to commit his future to the Gunners, and this is unlikely to change in the next 18 months, as long as he continues to see a clear pathway to the first team.
That said, things can always change quickly in football. If the Gunners don’t open a path to regular senior minutes and another club comes in with a lucrative offer, then it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he signs for another team.
Arsenal have one of the most talented youngsters in world football on their books, but he’s not quite officially theirs yet.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
