Marseille are preparing to host Liverpool in the Champions League while also eyeing a move for one of Arsenal’s best young talents.
The Reds travel to the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday to take on Marseille in the Champions League.
The French outfit have an attack stocked with names Liverpool fans will recognise. Ex-Man United wonderkid Mason Greenwood, Premier League agitator Neil Maupay, former Slot favourite Igor Paixao and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — a former Arsenal star.
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The Reds are 2/2 at the Stade Vélodrome 👀
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool
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Fresh reports now claim Roberto De Zerbi isn’t satisfied with his attacking depth, and another Gunner is being looked at for what would be a shocking January move.
Marseille in talks with Arsenal over Ethan Nwaneri
Last season, Ethan Nwaneri was tipped as the next Premier League superstar after exploding onto the scene for Arsenal.
The league leaders made an abundance of additions in the forward areas in the summer, and the 18-year-old can’t buy a start under Mikel Arteta. That has spurred the Ligue 1 side to make an approach.
As David Ornstein revealed in The Athletic on Tuesday morning: “Marseille are working on a deal to sign Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri on loan for the rest of the season. Nothing is agreed yet but any arrangement would include a fee that is changeable, depending on appearances, and no option to buy.
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“There remains other interest in the 18-year-old from the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe — though some suitors wanted a permanent mechanism, which Arsenal will not allow.”
Portsmouth v Arsenal - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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A forgotten man at the Emirates, Nwaneri has made no league starts in 2025/26, and a loan sounds like a good idea, for both sides. His talent is undeniable, labelled a generational talent and a ‘phenomenal’ footballer according to Stephen Warnock.
Luckily for Liverpool, this deal won’t be arranged by the time the whistle blows for kickoff on Wednesday night. It does, however, show this Marseille project’s ambition and the level of talent they want in the squad.
Liverpool will have their hands full with Marseille even without Ethan Nwaneri
We mentioned some of the star names making up the Marseille attack.
They have plenty of firepower and will take the game to Liverpool in front of their home support. Of that there is little doubt.
De Zerbi could have been Liverpool manager in another life, so he may feel he has a point to prove.
Liverpool could have appointed De Zerbi! He’s lost the same number of games as Slot in 18 months!
Roberto De Zerbi during Bayeux FC v Olympique de Marseille - French Cup 2025/2026
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With 41 league goals in 18 matches, Marseille are the most dangerous attacking side in Ligue 1, even outscoring PSG.
Liverpool have been prone to early concessions this campaign, but the hope is that Arne Slot’s European form can hold and the disappointing league performances stay in England.
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