Arsenal have been left scouring the market for a midfielder on transfer deadline day after receiving bad news on the injury suffered by Mikel Merino and loaning out a potential replacement
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Mikel Merino could be sidelined from several weeks with a broken foot(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Arsenal do not have the option to recall Ethan Nwaneri from his loan spell at Marseille and therefore may have to dip into the market on transfer deadline day following the Mikel Merino injury blow. The Gunners confirmed on Sunday that Merino would miss an 'extended period' after suffering a broken foot.
Arsenal are scouring the market for potential eleventh-hour opportunities because Merino requires surgery after sustaining a bone fracture in his foot. This has fuelled rumours that Arsenal might look to bring back Nwaneri, who only joined the French side on loan on January 23, to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad for the rest of the campaign.
However, football.london understands the 18-year-old is scheduled to address a press conference in Marseille at 1:45pm UK time on Monday before Tuesday's French Cup last 16 encounter against Stade Rennes. Furthermore, no recall option was included in the agreement, given it's only a five-month loan spell. Nwaneri has already made two appearances for OM since putting pen to paper at the Stade Velodrome.
He found the net just 13 minutes into his first outing, bending a low effort into the corner during the 3-1 triumph over Lens. Marseille were then brutally knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday night following a 3-0 loss at Club Brugge due to Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's remarkable heroics against Real Madrid.
Nwaneri could have been registered for the knockout stages, provided OM had secured qualification and following the Brugge defeat. There were also media reports suggesting Roberto De Zerbi had considered stepping down from his role.
De Zerbi was instrumental in Arsenal's decision to loan Nwaneri, so his departure would have been a significant blow for the Gunners. However, he has now confirmed that he will be staying on.
Marseille returned to action on Saturday with Nwaneri starting in the 2-2 draw against Paris FC. The current trajectory suggests that the attacking midfielder will stay with Marseille until the end of the season as initially planned.
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri has been sent to Marseille on loan(Image: Getty Images)
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Regular game time is available at the Stade Velodrome and with OM vying for the Ligue 1 title, it seems likely that he could play a crucial role for the French heavyweights - even though he would be a valuable asset for Arsenal right now as well.
Rumours that Arsenal might make a last-minute bid for Sandro Tonali seem unlikely as Newcastle have no intention of selling. At this point in the transfer window, a deal of such magnitude doesn't seem feasible.
Arsenal have been linked with Ruben Neves, but Al-Hilal have accelerated talks over a new contract for the former Wolves midfielder. They have also kept an eye on Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, although the 18-year-old could command a fee in excess of £40m after the French side tied him down to a new contract in December.
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