Nwaneri heads to Dortmund for medical as Arsenal loan deal nears completion

Ethan Nwaneri is set to join Borussia Dortmund on loan after travelling to Germany for a medical, according to transfers expert David Ornstein. The 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder had previously been weighing up a move to Fulham, but that option is now off the table.

Dortmund’s interest in Nwaneri predates the signing of Greek attacker Giannis Konstantelias, but the deal gained fresh urgency after Konstantelias suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his Bundesliga debut against Hamburger SV — a match in which he also scored Dortmund’s second goal in a 2-0 win. With the Greek international facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Dortmund moved quickly to make Nwaneri’s arrival a priority.

The loan will contain no option to purchase, with Arsenal retaining full ownership of the teenager. Mikel Arteta acknowledged in August that he wanted Nwaneri to stay at the club but recognised the player needed regular first-team football — something the Gunners, who are chasing a first-ever back-to-back Premier League title, have been unable to guarantee.

Nwaneri has made 51 appearances for Arsenal since becoming one of the youngest players in Premier League history when he debuted in 2022 at the age of 15, registering 10 goals and two assists across all competitions. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille in Ligue 1, contributing two goals and one assist in nine appearances.

The teenager also has a notable connection with his new club: he scored against Dortmund for Arsenal in a 3-2 pre-season defeat in the Emirates Cup, and converted his penalty in the subsequent shootout.

Arsenal had considered a permanent sale before settling on a loan arrangement. Should Nwaneri take his opportunities at Dortmund, the club could look to either sell him or integrate him into Arteta’s first-team plans upon his return.