Arsenal have agreed to send Ethan Nwaneri to Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan, giving the highly rated 19-year-old the opportunity to secure regular first-team football in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal on transfer deadline day after negotiations continued late into the night. Nwaneri gave his approval to the move overnight and is travelling to Germany to undergo a medical before completing the transfer.
The agreement is a straight loan with no option to buy, ensuring Arsenal retain full control of the England Under-21 international’s long-term future. Dortmund will cover Nwaneri’s entire salary during his season in Germany.
Dortmund strike after late-night negotiations
Sky Sport Germany reports that Dortmund and Arsenal negotiated until after midnight before reaching an agreement for Nwaneri.
The Bundesliga club will pay Arsenal a loan fee and cover the player’s wages in full, with Sky reporting that the total financial package is worth around €5 million.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano subsequently reported that a verbal agreement had been reached and that Nwaneri had accepted Dortmund’s proposal.
“Season long loan agreed from Arsenal as Nwaneri said yes to this possibility overnight,” Romano reported, adding that Dortmund would cover the player’s salary in full.
Nwaneri is now expected to complete his medical and the remaining paperwork before Germany’s transfer deadline.
Injury forces Dortmund into action
Dortmund accelerated their search for an attacking midfielder following a serious injury to summer signing Giannis Konstantelias.
The Greek international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving Dortmund needing another option in attacking midfield. Nwaneri quickly emerged as their preferred solution.
The move also provides the Arsenal youngster with the prospect of significantly more first-team football.
Nwaneri has not made a senior appearance for Arsenal this season and was omitted from the matchday squad for Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had previously indicated that he wanted Nwaneri to remain in north London while also acknowledging the importance of the teenager playing regularly.
Arsenal protect Nwaneri’s long-term future
Arsenal’s refusal to include a purchase option underlines their determination to keep Nwaneri as part of their long-term plans.
The Hale End graduate is contracted to the Gunners until 2030.
He became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his Arsenal debut aged 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022.
Nwaneri has since made 51 senior appearances for Arsenal, scoring 10 goals.
Last season he spent time on loan at Marseille, where he made 11 appearances and scored twice.
His Dortmund switch could also create an intriguing Champions League reunion. Arsenal and Dortmund are scheduled to meet on November 24, and UEFA rules mean the Gunners cannot prevent their loanee from playing against them.
The transfer has not yet been formally announced by either club, but with an agreement reached, Nwaneri travelling for his medical and Dortmund taking responsibility for his wages, the move is now in its final stages.
