Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri is edging closer to a loan move to Ligue 1 side Marseille this January.
The deal would see the 18-year-old join up with the French giants for the remainder of the season, and does not include an option to buy.
Nwaneri has been linked to various clubs during the January transfer window, including Premier League rivals West Ham United.
It seems as though both Arsenal and the player himself have deemed Marseille a good fit, with Nwaneri struggling for gametime in a thriving Gunners squad.
Transfer News Blitz writer Emily Clogg is here to take a closer look at the move and whether this will pay off for all parties involved.
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ON THE MOVE
According to reports, Nwaneri is currently on his way to the south coast of France to finalise his loan move to Marseille.
An agreement has been reached between all parties, with the 18-year-old set to complete his medical ahead of the switch.
It is said that the fee for Marseille will reduce depending on Nwaneri’s gametime, ensuring the Ligue 1 club are motivated to provide him with adequate gametime.
Nwaneri has featured just 12 times for Arsenal in all competitions this season, with only four of those being starts.
Perhaps most damningly, he has yet to start a single Premier League game so far this campaign.
This is understandable, with tough competition keeping him either on the bench or out of the matchday squad whatsoever.
Players such as Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, and Eberechi Eze have been given the nod ahead of Nwaneri week after week, despite the youngster’s clear talent and potential.
This season is all about the here-and-now for Mikel Arteta, which leaves Nwaneri looking elsewhere for gametime.
IS THIS A GOOD FIT?
One of the biggest clubs in France, Marseille currently find themselves third in the Ligue 1 table behind Lens and Paris Saint-Germain.
Under the tutelage of Roberto De Zerbi, players such as Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have shone this season.
According to reports, it was Gunners boss Mikel Arteta who was particularly keen on moving his young talent to the Stade Velodrome.
Arteta is said to deem De Zerbi as the perfect man to bring the best out of Nwaneri.
The Italian manager has been in charge of the club since 2024, following a successful spell in the Brighton & Hove Albion dugout.
He is a very attack-minded tactician, with his fluid Marseille side averaging 2.3 league goals a game.
It really seems as though this is a system in which a player like Nwaneri could shine.
The Young Lions international is a versatile asset who thrives in 1v1 situations and always looks to move the ball up the pitch.
Though he has predominantly featured as a right-sided forward in the Arsenal first team, the teenager progressed through the Hale End academy in a more central position.
With Greenwood thriving on the right for Marseille, one would assume that Nwaneri could be deployed as a number 10 in France.
Igor Paixao, Bilal Nadir, Angel Gomes, and Matt O’Riley have all shared the minutes in that pocket behind Aubameyang this season.
Nwaneri, however, will be hoping to make the spot his own for the remainder of the campaign.
Another thing to note is how much De Zerbi loves the high press.
This could teach Nwaneri some very valuable habits to impress the ever-demanding Arteta in the future.
If his aim at Arsenal is to be knocking on the door as a potential Odegaard replacement, he will need to get his defensive boots on.
The Gunners captain leads the press for his side, and this is oftentimes missed when he isn’t around.
SHOULD ARSENAL LET HIM GO?
The only question for Arsenal in all of this is whether or not they can afford to be a player short heading into the business-end of the season.
The Gunners are competing for not only the Premier League but also the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
A big reason behind their success so far this year has been down to their strength in depth.
Although Nwaneri has been on the fringes of the squad, all it takes is a couple of injuries and Arsenal could be seriously regretting letting him go.
For Nwaneri and Marseille, however, this could be a perfect fit.
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