Willem II are close to completing a loan move for Manchester United striker Chido Obi on Deadline Day, with the 18-year-old now seemingly set for a fresh step in his development in the Netherlands.
The deal would add another name to a hectic late window for Willem II, who have already moved quickly to strengthen their squad. On Monday they signed Thijs Muller from FC Eindhoven, before Tuesday brought the loan of Maxime Delanghe from Cercle Brugge and Vito van Crooij's move from NEC to Tilburg.
Why Chido Obi fits the move
Obi is one of the more eye-catching young forwards to come out of Manchester United's system in recent seasons, and the numbers around his early rise explain why. He has scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 40 matches for the academy side, while also making an impact at senior level.
His first-team debut came on 16 February 2025 against Tottenham Hotspur, and on 4 May he started against Brentford to become Manchester United's youngest-ever Premier League starter at 17 years and 156 days. That is a significant marker for a player who, last season, was only in the matchday squad once and did not play in an official match.
What Willem II gain from the timing
For Willem II, the attraction is obvious. A loan to the Eredivisie looks like a sensible next step for a player at this stage of his career, and both his entourage and Manchester United reportedly see that pathway as ideal. It also fits the wider feel of a club trying to move decisively in the final hours of the window.
The Athletic said on Tuesday night that Willem II had Obi on the radar, and by Deadline Day the picture had sharpened further, with sources saying he was close to the move and had been seen in the Netherlands. That suggests the club have been working on the deal with real intent rather than simply exploring an option.
A final deadline to watch
The only thing that matters now is whether everything can be completed before midnight. If it is, Willem II will have added a highly rated forward to a window that has already brought in several fresh faces, and Obi will have the chance to build on the small but notable senior experience he has already gathered at Manchester United.
There had also been earlier interest from Feyenoord in the same window, which underlines the level of attention around the teenager. But with Willem II now closest to the deal, this looks like a move that could benefit both the player and the club at exactly the right moment.
