David Ornstein reports that Marseille are working on a deal to sign Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the season, with no agreement in place yet and no option to buy included in any proposed move.
David Ornstein reports Marseille are in talks over a loan move for Ethan Nwaneri for the remainder of the season, with no agreement in place at this stage.
Any deal would not include an option to buy.
There is also still interest from the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe, but Arsenal will not permit any loan that creates a permanent route out of the club.
Ornstein adds that Marseille are emerging as the favoured destination after positive discussions involving head coach Roberto De Zerbi, Mikel Arteta and Nwaneri, with De Zerbi’s style of play a key factor in that preference.
Earlier this month, Arsenal rejected an attempt from West Ham United to land Nwaneri on loan, with the club reportedly prioritising maintaining squad depth for the second half of their title-chasing season.
The 18-year-old has remained on the fringes in the league despite last year’s breakthrough, but Arsenal’s view has always said to be that they are not about to weaken their options at a critical point in the campaign, particularly with the club still competing across four fronts. That seems to have changed.
Football.london reported that West Ham were keen to explore a January loan, but Arsenal knocked back the approach from their London rivals despite the midfielder’s limited involvement in the Premier League this season, where he has yet to make a start.
Nwaneri has featured more regularly in other competitions, making his fourth start of the season in the FA Cup tie away to Portsmouth, a rare inclusion from the beginning in a competition often used to manage workloads and reward players outside the regular XI.
After that match, Mikel Arteta said Nwaneri’s lack of minutes has been down to competition for places. “He deserved that (chance),” Arteta said.
“Because of the strength of the squad and the players that are in the positions, he hasn’t been able to play. Today he’s done it, and I think he had some very good minutes.”
Nwaneri has also been linked with a possible loan move to AFC Bournemouth.
The midfielder has been included in Arsenal’s squad for their game against Inter Milan.