Revealed: Why Man United are facing wait to seal signing of Arsenal wonderkid – as national team boss explains teenager’s best ability

Manchester United are still awaiting ratification from the Premier League and Football Association to complete the signing of Arsenal youngster Chido Obi-Martin.

Obi-Martin, 16, confirmed at the end of July that he was leaving the Gunners having agreed terms with Man United.

The forward reportedly turned down more money from abroad to sign for Man United because he was convinced by the ongoing project at Old Trafford.

Recruitment of top-level academy players has been a primary focus this summer at Man United under their new football leadership team following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.2bn minority investment.

Goal have reported that Obi-Martin’s move to Man United has been held up by legal issues.

A tribunal may be required to determine the fee Man United will have to pay Arsenal

Arsenal are due a fee from Man United due to the role they played in his development despite his contract expiring in the summer.

Both clubs have been in talks over a compensation fee to allow Obi-Martin to complete the move.

It has been reported that the case could go to a tribunal to determine how much Man United will be required to pay the Gunners, should the clubs be unable to agree a fee. 

The teenager has joined up with the Danish under-18 squad for the first time during the international break, with national team coach Morten Eskesen stating it is ‘only a matter of time’ before his new club is confirmed.

‘I spoke to him last week and asked him if he was fit for the fight and injury-free,’ Eskesen told Tipsbladet. ‘He was, and he is in between jobs. Right now he doesn’t have a club, but it’s only a matter of time. 

‘A lot happens in the transfer window. We know what he stands for. He has scored a lot of goals.

‘His greatest competence is that he scores many goals. If you saw some of the goals at the European Championships. He’s a really good finisher and positional so he gets free for that.

‘He is also good man-to-man. He is good at running in depth in relation to getting into free positions. His finishing skills are what allow him to score so many goals. 

‘One is to get the chances, number two is to score. There he is above average and that is what makes him so interesting.’

Obi-Martin had joined Arsenal from Kjobenhavns Boldklub in Denmark.

Striker Obi-Martin scored 10 goals in one U16 game last season as Arsenal beat Liverpool 14-3

He represented Arsenal’s U18 side as a 15-year-old, scoring a hat-trick on his first start.

However, his most memorable Arsenal moment came in a U16 game in November last year when he scored 10 goals in a 14-3 win over Liverpool.

Five months later, Obi-Martin netted seven goals in a 9-0 victory over Norwich at U18 level.

He is also eligible to represent England and Nigeria.