Ethan Nwaneri has explained why he’s joining Marseille on loan from Arsenal, as fans wait for the move to be officially confirmed by the two clubs.
Arsenal and Marseille are yet to announce Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move between the two clubs, but the transfer was effectively confirmed after the midfielder turned up in Marseille on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking briefly to the media, Nwaneri explained why he’s making the switch this month.
“[Marseille] is one of the best clubs in the world, with great fans,” Nwaneri said (via GFFN). “William Saliba told me that it is one of the best clubs in the world […] Roberto De Zerbi is one of the best managers in the world.”
Arsenal fans will remember that Saliba spent a season with Marseille before returning and establishing himself in the starting lineup in north London.
Fans snapped photos of the Arsenal 18-year-old as he arrived and donned a Marseille scarf, with the plan for him to spend the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign with the French club.
David Ornstein previously reported for The Athletic that there’s no option to buy in the deal, and the final loan fee will depend on how much Nwaneri plays.
The general idea is that if Nwaneri plays a lot, Marseille will pay less, encouraging them to give the Arsenal loanee games. If they opt not to select him regularly, Arsenal will at least make some profit.
Arsenal did the same thing with Fabio Vieira’s loan to FC Porto last season, and it seemed to work well as an incentive, with the 25-year-old playing 42 times.
There should be an official update on the loan move before long, with Ornstein writing that the player is expected to undergo a medical and finalise the transfer before the end of the week.