Borussia Dortmund have agreed a season-long loan for Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal, providing immediate attacking cover after Giannis Konstantelias suffered a significant knee injury.
The 19-year-old forward is expected to travel to Germany for a medical and to complete the transfer before the Bundesliga window closes at 19:00 BST. Dortmund had tracked Nwaneri previously, and pursued him last summer.
Konstantelias sustained the knee problem during Dortmund's 2-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, creating a vacancy in the club's forward options that the loan fills. The arrival of Nwaneri gives Dortmund a young, versatile attacker as they adapt to the setback.
Arsenal have signalled they prefer to loan Nwaneri rather than sell him, and made those priorities clear earlier this month. The academy graduate has drawn interest from clubs across the Premier League and Europe during the transfer window, but the Gunners opted to retain long-term control while seeking regular first-team football for the teenager.
Nwaneri spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, experience that should help him settle quickly in Germany. With Mikel Arteta overseeing a squad heavy in attacking talent, there was an expectation at Emirates Stadium that opportunities for Nwaneri this season would be limited, and that consistent minutes elsewhere would better serve his development.
The short-term picture is straightforward, the loan closes a gap for Dortmund and hands Nwaneri a chance of sustained first-team action. The deal still requires the player to pass his medical and be registered before the Bundesliga deadline at 19:00 BST, after which the clubs will monitor how quickly he integrates into Dortmund's squad.
