Borussia Dortmund agree deal to sign midfielder from Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Ethan Nwaneri on loan for the rest of the season.

According to Fabrizio Romano, The 19-year-old is travelling to Germany to undergo a medical ahead of completing the move, which is expected to be a straight loan without an option to buy.

Arsenal have been considering Nwaneri’s immediate future throughout the closing weeks of the transfer window, with regular senior football viewed as an important part of his development.

Earlier reports in August indicated that Arsenal were willing to allow the academy graduate to leave temporarily rather than consider a permanent sale.

Dortmund’s interest predates the serious knee injury suffered by Giannis Konstantelias, although the Bundesliga club stepped up their pursuit after the midfielder was ruled out for an extended period.

The German side subsequently made Nwaneri a priority target and held talks with his representatives before reaching an agreement with Arsenal.

Nwaneri had already attracted interest elsewhere this summer, but Dortmund’s track record of providing opportunities to young attacking players appears to have helped them move to the front of the queue.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made clear earlier that he wanted Nwaneri to remain part of the club’s long-term plans while acknowledging the teenager’s need for consistent playing time.

That pathway has become increasingly congested following the additions Arsenal have made to their attacking and midfield options.

Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard can both operate centrally, while Max Dowman continues to emerge as another highly-rated option from Hale End.

Nwaneri was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s opening Premier League win over Coventry City and was subsequently left out of the squads against Manchester City in the Community Shield and Aston Villa in the league.

He also spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, where he made 11 appearances and scored twice.

The England youth international has made 51 senior appearances for Arsenal in total, contributing 10 goals and two assists.

He also remains the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League after making his Arsenal debut against Brentford aged 15 years and 181 days in September 2022.

A move to Dortmund would therefore represent another significant step in his development rather than a permanent separation from Arsenal.

The lack of a purchase option also ensures Arsenal retain full control over his long-term future.

Nwaneri could even face his parent club later this season, with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund drawn to meet at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League league phase on November 24.

The post Borussia Dortmund agree deal to sign midfielder from Arsenal first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.