‘Talks Underway’: Rangers Initiate Contact With Arsenal for Max Dowman

According to media outlet TransferFeed, 16-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman can potentially leave his parent club, Arsenal, on a loan deal and move to either Rangers or Celtic F.C. According to the report by TransferFeed, both clubs have made contact with Arsenal over a potential loan deal, and negotiations are underway.

It is to be noted that Dowman, who will turn 17 on 31 December, will become eligible for a loan move on that date, and as such, several clubs are looking to sign the player during the upcoming winter transfer window. It is being reported that more than a dozen clubs have expressed their interest in securing the services of the talented teenager. It is also believed that Arsenal will be open to a temporary exit for the player, given that the club believes that getting regular playing time with the first team will be difficult this season for the player. A loan deal is expected to be very beneficial for Dowman, as he will get to experience regular minutes of football and hone his skills before returning to his boyhood club.

According to a previous report by TransferFeed, a potential loan deal for Dowman was also endorsed by former Rangers striker Mark Hateley, who urged the club to follow with Dowman the same path that they followed with Mikey Moore in the 2025-26 season. Interestingly, Moore joined Rangers on loan from Arsenal’s North London derby rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

Born in 2009, Dowman joined the academy of Arsenal at the age of 6 in 2015, and made his first-team debut for the club in a pre-season friendly against AC Milan on 23 July 2025. On 23 August 2025, Dowman became the second youngest player in Premier League history when he came on as a substitute in the 64th minute of Arsenal's league fixture against Leeds United. 

On 14 March 2026, the teenager became the youngest goalscorer in both the club’s and the Premier League’s history when he scored in the 97th minute of Arsenal's 2-0 win against Merseyside club Everton.

In addition to his club career, Dowman has also represented the England National Football Team at the youth stages; he has appeared for the U-16, U-17, and U-19 squads of the Three Lions.

A loan deal for Dowman is highly expected during the upcoming winter transfer window, and what remains to be seen is whether the player joins Rangers, Celtic, or a club away from Britain. Notwithstanding the club he joins, a loan deal will definitely be beneficial for the overall development of the young player, considered one of the brightest prospects in world football.