Transfer Rumors: Arsenal Finalizing Deal For Teen Defender But May Not Make First Team

Arsenal holds little options this January transfer window, but it appears that one of their future stars is already training with them.

He is no other than 19-year-old Omar Rekik, a center-back who was acquired from Hertha Berlin.

The deal is more of a delayed transfer that should have happened in the last summer transfer window. Rekik was part of the deal that involved Matteo Guendouzi.

However, the Gunners were unable to complete the paperwork for the teenage defender.

Rekik had already sparked rumors about his transfer when he posted a photo on social media of arriving in London last month. He has also been spotted training with Arsenal’s development squad.

However, his coming holds no assurance that he will be staying at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are carefully evaluating the youngster to see whether they will keep him or send him out on loan–possibly back to Hertha Berlin.

Rekik did crack the Hertha matchday squad thrice at the end of last season but never made it to the senior squad.

He spent the majority of the 2020-21 season playing for the Bundesliga youth team and is highly regarded by the club.

The Tunisian teenager is also on the radar of several clubs like Manchester City, Feyenoord, PSV and Marseille. But once the deal with Arsenal is sealed, Rekik is seen more as a player investment for the Gunners’ future.

Despite the first transfer of Arsenal, the impending signing of Rekik may not be the immediate resolve that Mike Arteta is looking for.

The Gunners manager already bared that their main goal this transfer window is to loan out some players who held redundant positions.

Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund remains the only guy thus far that has been linked to Arsenal. But as mentioned in a previous post, his $49 million-worth fee is something Arteta and company cannot afford.

Their chances of meeting that price could get better once they unload players who hold high contracts.

At the top of the list is Mesut Ozil who is currently discussing a potential deal with DC United and Fenerbahce. If that comes to fruition, Arsenal can gain some financial flexibility and address their midfielder shortcomings.