Grimsby Town are set to complete the permanent signing of Arsenal youngster Maldini Kacurri for an undisclosed fee, according to a report.
Ryan Taylor reports for the Mirror that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Grimsby Town for the permanent transfer of youth defender Maldini Kacurri for an undisclosed fee, with the League Two club now finalising personal terms with the player.
Though the transfer fee isn’t known, Taylor describes it as “modest”, with Kacurri set to end a three-and-a-half year spell with the Gunners’ academy.
Simon Collings also reports that Arsenal will have a sell-on clause as part of the deal.
The 20-year-old had completed a couple of loan spells over the last 12 months, spending the second half of last season on loan with Bromley and the first half of the current campaign with Morecambe FC.
Kacurri’s most recent loan to Morecambe was only a short-term deal lasting until January, so it was always Arsenal’s plan to see him return in the winter window. But there had been some suggestions Morecambe were keen to keep him.
The centre-back won Morecambe’s Player of the Month award in both October and November, and it seems he caught the attention of clubs further up the English football pyramid.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that Morecambe faced rival interest from English Football League clubs, with Arsenal preferring a permanent sale over another loan move. It seems Grimsby are ready to meet those terms.
Kacurri made 18 appearances for Morecambe, scoring one goal and assisting one from his role in central defence.
The youngster also made his senior international debut in a friendly match for Albania against Gibraltar in September, though he’s yet to appear in their squad for a competitive fixture.
If all goes well, he’ll now join a Grimsby Town side pushing for the promotion play-offs, just three points off the pace as it stands. The team have won every game in 2026, including reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup, so they’re in great form.