Ethan Nwaneri transfer: Why Manchester United will gain from Arsenal's FFP situation during January window?

The Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations may force Arsenal to sell the immensely talented Ethan Nwaneri to Manchester United, a report said. The 18-year-old English talent stands a realistic chance of reaching Old Trafford in January, the report added.

The multiple signings that Arsenal completed in recent times means they now want some big-money outgoings to balance the books, and Nwaneri could well be the first casualty. The London side had spent about £850 million across the last five summer transfer windows. United, meanwhile, are more than happy to spend on the teenager as he is a talent who has impressed Rúben Amorim. The Portuguese manager loves wide 10s, which is a combination of a right winger and an attacking midfielder.

Academy graduate Nwaneri is also agitated by his lack of game-time at the Emirates, which may also work in favour of a transfer, TeamTalk said in a report. The attacking midfielder, who can also operate as a winger, has only got 163 minutes of a possible 1,440 in the Premier League this season despite injury concerns within the squad, and the competition could only increase. Some sources close to Arsenal, however, still report that the club will not sell the youngster but will send him on a loan spell to ensure he gets enough time on the field.

If Manchester United are to get the Hale End product, it is certain that they will have to spend a remarkable sum as Nwaneri had signed a contract extension four months back. None of the reports even had an estimated sum that will have to be shelled out to bring him to Old Trafford. If Kobbie Mainoo leaves in January as expected, at least a portion of the fund needed to be raised for the signing can be covered by the club.