Arsenal have determined they will give preference to loan proposals for Ethan Nwaneri as the young midfielder faces an uncertain immediate future at the club. The north London club’s academy product appears set for a temporary departure heading into the 2026/27 season after the club concluded he will not feature significantly in their first-team plans at the Emirates this campaign, though a permanent sale looks unlikely.
Galatasaray, the Turkish Süper Lig holders, have demonstrated interest in the 19-year-old following Gabriel Martinelli’s rejection of their approach. Italian giants AC Milan have also submitted enquiries regarding Nwaneri, though sources suggest a deal with the Serie A outfit remains improbable.
German clubs RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund have been mentioned alongside Premier League side Liverpool as potential suitors, and all parties have now seemingly received clarity on Arsenal’s position.
The north London outfit are understood to be reluctant to sanction a permanent departure but recognise the player requires consistent playing time, making a temporary spell the preferred course of action.
Nwaneri completed a full pre-season programme with the senior squad in London but was omitted from the matchday roster for last weekend’s Community Shield encounter with Manchester City. Martinelli was similarly absent amid uncertainty surrounding his own situation, though manager Mikel Arteta downplayed the significance of their non-inclusions.
When questioned about the omissions, Arteta stated the selections were purely tactical considerations and expressed frustration at the constraints on squad size given the increasing volume of fixtures players face. He indicated the inability to accommodate all deserving talents represented the most challenging aspect of his role.
Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick also addressed Nwaneri’s situation alongside that of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has attracted attention from Chelsea and Manchester United. Speaking to BBC Sport’s Dan Roan, Garlick indicated the club would not pursue sales of homegrown players but would evaluate proposals should suitable opportunities arise that benefited both the individuals and the club. Regarding Lewis-Skelly’s future, Garlick praised his excellent finish to last term and strong start to the current season, while noting Nwaneri’s impressive pre-season and the need to assess available opportunities for both players.