Arsenal include recall clause in loanee’s contract

Ethan Nwaneri completed a deadline-day loan move from Arsenal to Borussia Dortmund, with David Ornstein reporting for The Athletic that it’s a straight loan with no option to buy.

Ornstein writes that all parties were in agreement that this was the right opportunity for Nwaneri to play regular minutes, particularly in light of the ACL injury suffered by Dortmund’s new signing Giannis Konstantelias.

But whilst the loan deal doesn’t include a purchase clause, James Benge reports that it does include a January recall clause. James McNicholas confirms for The Athletic that such a clause is present in the deal.

The recall clause is a positive inclusion for multiple reasons. Firstly, it’s good for Nwaneri that Arsenal will be able to pull him back in the winter window if things aren’t going well, for whatever reason.

Arsenal probably would have liked to end Nwaneri’s loan to Marseille early, with the midfielder struggling for minutes after the club’s change in manager. If something similar happens before January, the Gunners can bring Nwaneri back and reintegrate or re-loan him.

In addition, Arsenal will have the flexibility to recall Nwaneri if circumstances in Mikel Arteta’s squad demand it. If the club suffer from a serious injury, a lengthy suspension at a key time, or they complete a major sale, they could opt to bring Nwaneri back to fill in.

The best-case scenario is obviously that Nwaneri performs well on loan and Arsenal don’t need him back in January. If he can get a full season of regular minutes under his belt, he’ll be in a much better position in 2027.

But it’s good to have options, and this recall clause gives Arsenal some flexibility.