Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri has been given the green light to undergo a medical as he edges closer to a loan move to French club Olympique Marseille, according to reports.
As we reported yesterday, Les Phoceens have agreed a deal with the English club to sign the 18-year-old on loan till the end of the season and will pay a fee in the region of £3.5 million, depending on how minutes he plays while also covering his full wages.
Nwaneri has struggled for regular game time at Arsenal this season and was keen on making the move. He made history on September 18, 2022 when he featured in the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Brentford in the Premier League, becoming the youngest player to appear in an English top-flight match at just 15 years and 181 days.
The England U-21 international enjoyed a breakthrough season in the previous campaign, stepping up in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. He made 37 appearances across all competitions, including 26 in the league and featured both in attacking midfield and on the right wing.
However, his role has been significantly reduced this season due to the high-level of competition in Mikel Arteta’s squad. The arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke last summer from Crystal Palace and Chelsea respectively have also pushed him down the pecking order at the club, limiting him to just six substitute appearances in the league.
Olympique Marseille fended off competition from the likes of Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham United and would help his development, given their strong record of helping young players develop.
The move is a short-term loan deal with no option to buy, giving the youngster an opportunity to play regularly at the top-level as Marseille chase a first Ligue One title in 16 years. A strong spell in France could prepare him for a much bigger role when he returns to Arsenal next season.
