Arsenal make decision on Ethan Nwaneri’s future

Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal are prioritising loan offers for Ethan Nwaneri this summer, with the Gunners opting against selling the player permanently.

Mokbel writes that Nwaneri has attracted major interest from across the Premier League and Europe this summer, and Arsenal accept that the player will benefit from playing regular minutes.

But the focus now is on finding a loan move, with only an exceptional offer significantly above their valuation likely to make a permanent transfer possible.

Mokbel writes that AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Fulham have all shown an interest in Nwaneri. That interest was likely for a permanent deal, but perhaps Fulham could be a good option for a loan, allowing the teenager to remain in the Premier League.

Fabrizio Romano had reported in recent days that Galatasaray had also made contact with Arsenal over Nwaneri, adding that the Gunners were bracing for Premier League bids.

Arsenal have never been open to a loan with an option to buy, but a straight loan is evidently now their preferred outcome.

Nwaneri was left out of Arsenal’s Community Shield squad, and whilst he wasn’t the only one, it was noteworthy that those not included almost all have heavy transfer speculation surrounding them.

Other than the injured Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, and third-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier, the players not included in the squad were Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, and Reiss Nelson.

It seems very possible that all five players could leave before the September deadline, but in Nwaneri’s case, that should be on loan.