Marseille reach Ethan Nwaneri loan agreement with Arsenal

Arsenal have agreed to a loan deal with Marseille for 18-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri until the end of the season. The agreement includes a significant loan fee that is structured to decrease based on the number of appearances Nwaneri makes, and there is no option for Marseille to make the transfer permanent.

The move is reportedly motivated by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's desire for Nwaneri to gain experience playing under Marseille's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi. Nwaneri is expected to travel to France on Wednesday to finalize the deal, following Arsenal's Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday night.

Nwaneri has seen limited playing time at Arsenal this season, starting only four matches across domestic cups and the Champions League, and making six substitute appearances in the Premier League, with his last league involvement dating back to November. His opportunities were more frequent last season due to injuries within the Arsenal squad.

Notably, Nwaneri holds the record as the youngest-ever Premier League player, having debuted at 15 years and 181 days in September 2022. He has made 50 first-team appearances for Arsenal, scoring 10 goals. If completed, this loan would see Nwaneri join a list of players, including William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi, who have moved from Arsenal to Marseille on loan in recent years.