Arsenal are said to have agreed a new contract extension for Gedion Zelalem, amidst fears he could leave on a free transfer in the summer.
The American Under-23 international was into the final six months of his current contract, and having so far failed to land a regular role in the first-team squad, there were doubts over our chances of agreeing terms.
The Gunners were forced to sell Serge Gnabry last summer, with the winger pushing to leave, and with our club unable to agree a new contract, nor able to guarantee him regular football.
There were fees we could lose Zelalem also, with Borussia Dortmund said to have been targeting a deal to bring him to Germany, but we finally appear to have agreed terms on a new contract, before sending him out on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Dutch second-tier side VVV Venlo are now said to be set to sign the midfielder on loan until the summer, where he will be expected to land a first-team role, before returning to Arsenal for pre-season.
Zelalem turns 20 this week and still remains one of the untapped talents in our squad, but for whatever reason, is yet to show he is ready for the step-up to the first-team squad.
The 19 year-old spent last term on loan with Rangers in the Scottish second-tier, and the club made it clear they would’ve liked to have kept him up in Scotland, but we had no interest in a sale.
Do we still expect Zelalem to make the required moves into the Gunners playing squad? Could we not find a top tier side to guarantee him first-team minutes?
Pat J