Marseille are in talks with Arsenal over signing Ethan Nwaneri on loan for the rest of the season.
Nwaneri has struggled to break into Mikel Arteta's first team, making zero Premier League starts and accruing just 166 minutes.
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri
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Nwaneri has made just six Premier League substitute appearances this seasonCredit: Getty
The 18-year-old signed a new long-term contract in the summer, committing his future at the club until 2030.
talkSPORT reported in July that he was reluctant to pen a new deal without guaranteed playing time.
That playing time has not come to fruition for Arteta's Premier League table toppers.
talkSPORT understands that Arsenal were initially reluctant to allow Nwaneri to leave on loan in January.
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However, with players returning from injury their stance has softened.
Marseille are working on a deal with the Gunners to sign him for the rest of the season.
No buy option will be included in the deal that would see him play under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.
talkSPORT also understands that West Ham were among other clubs who were interested in signing him on loan.
However, Arsenal rejected that offer.
Now the decision is up to Nwaneri over whether he wants to head out on loan to secure regular playing time.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arteta has used Nwaneri sparingly this campaignCredit: Getty
Nwaneri's Arsenal career
He burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old when he became the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League.
Speaking at the time, Arteta said: “It’s just one step and all the steps in your career are not forward and you have to know that. You can go forward then backwards and then forwards.
"You fall, you go back - that’s, unfortunately, this industry and the football career of any player.”
Nwaneri played 37 games in all competitions last season, scoring nine times.
He has also represented England at Under-16s, 17s, 19s, and 21s, but is yet to get a senior call-up.
Ethan Nwaneri making his Premier League debut
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Nwaneri was just 15 when he made his Premier League debutCredit: Getty
Arsenal transfers in January
Arteta has previously admitted that Arsenal would be open to incomings in January should the right player become available.
“The ideal scenario is that we spend all the time necessary to nail the process and to understand exactly how we envisage this player joining our club, the team and the relationship we want to build up,” Arteta said.
“The reality is: sometimes when there is an opportunity, you have to act.
"But we have to try and be prepared and I think, in general, we make very good choices and get top characters and personalities.”
Arsenal are next in action against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Gunners are still fighting for four trophies and Arteta was asked if his team are capable of playing 65 games in a season.
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Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi
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De Zerbi's Marseille are third in Ligue 1Credit: AFP
"Yes, but I think we have to go game by game. We can try to look ahead, what is coming and what is relevant is the next match, and sometimes we've been thinking a lot about the future, the next week or two, three weeks' time, and something happens and you have to adapt to the circumstances.
"So, go game by game and enjoy the journey that we are in, because it's great. Go for it every single game and let's see what the next one brings."