Olympique Marseille are close to agreeing an official deal to sign Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri on loan till the end of the season.
According to reports, the loan deal would see Nwaneri join the Ligue 1 club on loan until June, with no option to buy included. Marseille will also cover the player’s wages during the loan period.
The loan deal also features a fee of over €3 million, structured around Nwaneri’s appearances, and the 18-year-old attacking midfielder seeks regular first-team football.
Arsenal are said to be supportive of Nwaneri’s move to Marseille due to Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical system, and Arteta also reportedly spoke with Roberto de Zerbi and OM and sees the club as an ideal solution.
The highly-rated youngster also had interest from other clubs, including in the Premier League, but it looks like Marseille would be able to edge them out after club-to-club talks with Arsenal.
Nwaneri rose to prominence during the 2024/2025 season with Arsenal when he came on for injured stars like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, he scored nine goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
He has, however, played just 165 minutes of league football this season, with six substitute appearances, starting none, he was last named in a Premier League matchday squad in November 2023 for Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham.
The potential loan move to Marseille is aimed at providing him with consistent senior-level playing time.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Nwaneri has represented England at various youth levels but remains eligible to play for the Super Eagles, as he has yet to make a senior appearance for the Three Lions.
