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Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is being primed for Real Madrid, as Los Blancos look to snare the next big thing in football

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Arsenal starlet Max Dowman is wanted by Real Madrid in a seismic swoop and statement of intent from Los Blancos. The Gunners wonderkid has been on preseason with the senior Arsenal squad in Asia this summer, impressing against Milan and Newcastle United lately, ahead of a potential debut in the first team this season. Still just 15 years old, Dowman was ranked at no. 47 in Four Four Two's list of the most exciting teenagers to watch last season and now finds himself the subject of intense scrutiny – and interest from the world's elite. Arsenal have made big efforts in recent seasons to provide academy graduates with pathways to the first team, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah establishing themselves as first-team regulars before the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri followed suit last term. Nwaneri, in particular, was handed a Premier League debut at the age of just 15 years, five months and 28 days, to in part show the Chelsea and Manchester City target that he had a clear future at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta may well have to do the same thing with Dowman, with the youngster wanted by Real Madrid, as per a report from Defensa Central. The 15-time European champions have shifted away from their big-money Galactico model in the last decade or so, instead prioritising signing superstars on free transfers and only spending big on younger prospects, such Endrick, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Real have identified Dowman as the next superstar of Europe – similarly to how they signed fellow Gunner Martin Odegaard as a teenager – but Four Four Two understands that a deal for the English talent is near impossible at this stage. Sources have claimed via respected X (formerly Twitter) account @Handof Arsenal that “Arsenal [have never] put this much effort into ensuring a clear pathway” for a prospect before, with Dowman already assigned a senior mentor, in the form of Declan Rice. Dowman is one of the jewels in the Hale End setup and after being placed in the under-18 side – at the age of just 14 – he could well appear for Arsenal's senior side this term. The starlet has been assigned the no. 56 shirt for the season. Mark White has been at on Four Four Two since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

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