Mikel Arteta has reportedly agreed to allow Ethan Nwaneri to leave Arsenal on loan in the winter transfer window amid his links with Ligue 1 club Marseille.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Ethan Nwaneri is the subject of interest from Marseille. The Ligue 1 giants are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a creative midfielder in the winter transfer window. So, the 18-year-old Arsenal wonderkid has emerged as a target for Les Phoceens.
The report has revealed that Mikel Arteta is ready to sanction Nwaneri’s loan exit, acknowledging that “a temporary move would accelerate his development” in the coming months. Meanwhile, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Englishman has approved the move to Marseille, with Arteta speaking with Roberto De Zerbi. The deal will not include a purchase option for the Ligue 1 outfit.
Ethan Nwaneri and his situation
Ethan Nwaneri has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Premier League since breaking into the first-team squad at Arsenal. Born in London, the 18-year-old has been with the North London club since 2015, spending his youth career with the Gunners before making his senior bow in August 2022, becoming the youngest player to appear in the Premier League.
While the English youth international has yet to become a regular for Arsenal, he has amassed ten goals and two assists in only 1,907 minutes of game time across 51 appearances thus far. Meanwhile, Nwaneri’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Marseille. The youngster’s lack of game time has piqued the attention of the French club, and a loan deal is on the cards.
Ligue 1 adventure on the horizon?
Marseille’s interest in Ethan Nwaneri is understandable. The Ligue 1 giants have been scouring the market for a versatile midfielder heading into the winter transfer window, as Roberto De Zerbi wants more firepower in the final third. Several candidates, including Quinten Timber, have thus emerged on Marseille’s wishlist, with Nwaneri also a viable target.
The 18-year-old Englishman has said yes to sealing a loan move to Marseille, with Mikel Arteta speaking to Roberto De Zerbi. The Arsenal boss thus deemed Marseille as the ideal solution and sanctioned Nwaneri’s exit after holding crunch talks with the youngster. Meanwhile, the agreement with the French outfit will not include a purchase option, as the Gunners view a bright future for the teenage sensation.
Earlier reports suggested that Arsenal would not entertain any bids to part ways with the English youth international, and they recently rebuffed West Ham United’s approach. However, Nwaneri is closing in on joining Marseille on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.
