Arsenal battling Chelsea and Real Madrid for Irish teen – but Premier League teams banned from signing him until 2025

ARSENAL and Chelsea are battling with Real Madrid to sign Irish teenager Naj Razi.

Razi has been catching the eye of Europe’s elite after breaking into the first team at Shamrock Rovers this season.

Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea are all interested in Shamrock Rovers youngster Naj RaziSportsfile

The 17-year-old has featured five times this term for the Hoops who will cap off their title winning campaign this week as they host Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

And he’s been with the club since he was a kid, joining the academy at just seven years old.

Although it’s not just his club football that’s been drawing the attention of potential suitors, but his International pedigree too.

The youngster has been representing the Ireland U17s since late 2022 and has now picked up 14 caps registering four goals and four assists.

He starred in this summer’s U17 Euros competition where Ireland were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Spain after a successful group stage.

Despite the lure of a move to a huge club like Arsenal, Real Madrid or Chelsea it’s understood that if Razi was to stay with Shamrock Rovers he would have a much bigger part to play in Stephen Bradley’s side next season.

On top of the dilemma of game time there is also the issue surrounding a move to either Arsenal or Chelsea being blocked until 2025.

Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, Premier League teams are unable to sign players from abroad until they are at least 18 years old.

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The Brexit ruling would mean the London duo would have to wait at least another year before they could snap up Razi.

It’s good news for Real Madrid however, who would be able to act fast given Spain’s European Union status and try and sign the Irishman in January.

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