Ethan Nwaneri is on the verge of joining Olympique de Marseille, with an agreement reached for the Arsenal midfielder to move to France on a short-term loan in search of regular first-team football.
The 18-year-old, who has found opportunities limited at the Premier League club this season, is set to leave north London temporarily to gain experience in Ligue 1.
According to Foot Mercato, Marseille and Arsenal have agreed on a six-month loan deal that does not include an option to buy, and the player is expected to arrive in the southern French city on Wednesday to complete the move.
For Marseille, currently sitting third in the French top flight, the imminent arrival of Nwaneri is viewed as a significant boost.
Despite his young age, the attacking midfielder is regarded as one of the most promising talents of his generation and has attracted interest from several major clubs.
His market value has been estimated at 40 million euros by Transfermarkt, underlining the level of expectation surrounding his development.
The London-born player of Nigerian heritage remains tied to Arsenal until June 2030, reflecting the club’s long-term faith in his potential.
However, with competition for places intense, his involvement this season has been limited. Nwaneri has featured in 12 matches across competitions, scoring once and accumulating a total of 515 minutes on the pitch, a return that has prompted a search for more consistent playing time.
Marseille’s pursuit of the midfielder comes amid strong competition, with clubs such as Bournemouth and Manchester United also reported to be monitoring his situation.
The Ligue 1 side have moved swiftly to secure his services, seeing the loan as an opportunity to strengthen their attacking options while offering the player a platform to continue his progression at senior level.
The move would mark Nwaneri’s first experience outside English football, presenting a new challenge in a different tactical and cultural environment.
For the player, the temporary switch is intended to accelerate his development through regular exposure to top-flight football, while Arsenal retain full control of his future.
If finalised as expected, the deal will see Nwaneri spend the second half of the season in Marseille colours, with both clubs hoping the arrangement proves beneficial.
For Arsenal, it offers valuable game time for a highly rated prospect; for Marseille, it delivers a young creative presence as they aim to maintain their strong position in the league.
