Marseille move early as Arsenal weigh loan options
Olympique Marseille are in active talks to sign Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal, with club-to-club discussions now underway. Arsenal are understood to be considering different pathways for the 18-year-old after receiving approaches from Italy and Crystal Palace as well, but Marseille have moved fastest by opening formal talks.
Loan fee could be over €3m but it will be structured on player’s appearances as Nwaneri wants regular game time.
For Marseille, Nwaneri represents a high-upside technical profile that can add creativity between the lines and energy in the final third. For Arsenal, a short-term loan can be a clean development option if minutes are limited, while keeping full control of a player the club rates highly and is working to keep long-term.
The agency angle – Unique Sports Group, led by Will Salthouse
Nwaneri is represented by Unique Sports Group (USG), one of the biggest and most influential football agencies in the UK market, led by Will Salthouse. USG’s scale and reach have made it a major player in elite negotiations across Europe.
USG also represents a number of high-profile Premier League names, including Marc Guéhi who moved to Manchester City and Anthony Gordon. Guéhi has been in the spotlight recently after his reported move to Manchester City, adding another headline moment for the agency’s roster.
