Max Dowman lifting the Premier League trophy (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Celtic and Rangers are reportedly in discussions over a potential loan move for Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman, who has attracted interest from more than a dozen clubs.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, the Gunners are open to sending the 16-year-old out on loan in January, as regular first-team opportunities remain limited this season. Dowman is widely regarded as a top prospect at the Emirates Stadium; he has already scored three goals for Arsenal’s senior side and featured enough to earn a Premier League winner’s medal last season.
The next logical step in his development could be a temporary switch to gain consistent playing time.
Konur shared the following update on X regarding Dowman’s situation:
?#Arsenal Celtic & Rangers held talks with Arsenal over loan move for Max Dowman.
? Interest ? Over a dozen clubs contacted Arsenal.
? Situation ? Eligible for loan once he turns 17 on Dec 31.
?? Arsenal ? Open to loan, limited first?team chances short term. pic.twitter.com/G8tqdrGsOi
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) September 25, 2026
“Celtic and Rangers have held talks with Arsenal over a loan move for Max Dowman. Interest has come from over a dozen clubs. The player becomes eligible for a loan once he turns 17 on December 31, and Arsenal are open to the move given his limited first-team prospects in the short term,” the Turkish journalist posted.
What Should Arsenal Do With Max Dowman?
Even if a loan move makes sense at this stage of his career, there is an argument that Dowman is already ready for a more prominent role in Mikel Arteta’s squad. The England youth international looks like an exceptional talent, potentially on a trajectory similar to Lamine Yamal.
Yamal was featuring regularly for both Barcelona and Spain at this age, suggesting Dowman could also be ready for that step up. If so, Arsenal would be wise to keep him close, as he could help address some of their attacking concerns.
The Gunners missed out on several high-profile attacking targets over the summer, and Bukayo Saka’s fitness issues have prevented him from reaching peak form for some time. That situation could create an opening for Dowman to feature more regularly and make a significant impact for Arteta’s side.
