Super Eagles on alert as Dortmund and Arsenal agree deal on exciting youngster

Borussia Dortmund have reached a verbal agreement to sign Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri on a season-long loan, Soccernet.ng reports.

It is a move that could give Nigeria fresh hope in its long-running attempt to convince the teenager to play for the Super Eagles.

The 19-year-old has agreed to the move and is expected to travel to Germany for a medical before the transfer is completed on deadline day, according to transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano. Dortmund will pay his full salary during the loan. There will be no option for Dortmund to buy Nwaneri at the end of the season.

Arsenal still see the attacking midfielder as an important part of their long-term plans and have rejected any clause that could lead to a permanent transfer.

The move comes after Dortmund lost attacking player Giannis Konstantelias to a serious knee injury. The Greek midfielder suffered an ACL injury during the Bundesliga club's weekend win over Hamburg, leaving Dortmund looking for another attacking option before the transfer window closed.

The move also offers a chance for Nwaneri to play more regular first-team football. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, making 11 appearances and scoring twice. His next challenge will be in Germany, where Dortmund will also compete in the Champions League.

Why Nigeria will be watching new Dortmund star closely

Nwaneri's development has attracted attention from Nigeria because he was born in England to Nigerian parents and has represented England at several youth levels.

He became a football record-breaker in September 2022 when, aged 15 years and 181 days, he came on for Arsenal against Brentford to become the youngest player to appear in a Premier League match. Since then, he has progressed through England's youth teams and was part of the country's successful Under-21 set-up.

However, Nwaneri has not yet played a competitive senior match for England. That keeps the possibility of a future switch to Nigeria alive under FIFA's eligibility rules, although his international future is far from settled.

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has already taken a close interest in the youngster. Chelle watched Nwaneri play for Marseille against Rennes in a 3-0 Coupe de France win at the Orange Vélodrome in February. Nwaneri played the first half of that match.

Chelle has previously admitted that convincing Nwaneri will be difficult because England also want him. The Super Eagles coach sees the attacking midfielder as a possible answer to the Super Eagles' need for a creative player in the number 10 role.