Arsenal Agree January Deal for Highly-Rated Youngster

Arsenal already have one signing lined up in January.

The name(s) on the lips of all Arsenal supporters are, we’re led to believe, being worked on at this very moment. Dominik Szoboszlai – whose name everyone has probably learnt to spell by now – is the talk of the town, but beyond current requirements there are other areas being looked at.

Omar Rekik’s name won’t be too unfamiliar with Arsenal fans as the Hertha Berlin defender was linked with a move to north London in the previous summer window, and with it appearing as if he’d join on deadline day, the deal failed to materialise.

However, as per football.london, a transfer has been thrashed out that would see him make his long-awaited move to the Premier League in January. Well, sort of.

The 18-year-old will officially join the club from the German side, but is expected to be sent back to the Bundesliga outfit for the remainder of the season. There is no confirmation on that being the case, although Arsenal are thought to favour the idea.

A left-sided centre-back, Rekik is still to make a senior appearance for Hertha Berlin. His brother, Karim – also a central defender – left the German capital recently to join Sevilla, with both brothers highly-rated in and out of Germany.

Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s Academy Manager, is thought to have promised the Tunisian international that he will be training regularly with the first team upon his arrival. While Rekik was keen on the transfer anyway, the allure of being among the top stars further enticed the defender.

If the deal is completed as expected, Rekik will join the long line of Under-23 players being brought in by Mertesacker, who has been the focal point of an extensive recruitment drive over recent months.

In the senior side, fellow centre-backs Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz are all out of contract in the summer. An area of the pitch where Arsenal are overly stocked is due to be in need of additions, hence the focus on securing an exciting young prospect to complement the experienced players in that positions.

No fee has been mentioned for Rekik but without a senior appearance and with his deal expiring in 2021, it’s expected to be tame in comparison to Arsenal’s recent defensive acquisitions.