Aston Villa should offer Arsenal exit route to Ethan Nwaneri after Marseille nightmare
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Credit: Imago Thu 16 April 2026 16:00, UK Aston Villa must make a move to sign Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri this summer as he struggles to play himself into Mikel Arteta’s plans while on loan at Marseille.Villa are eyeing new attacking signings in the upcoming summer window amid uncertainty over the futures of their existing stars.Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott each look set to depart at the end of their loan spells, while the respective futures of both Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey seem unclear.Nwaneri’s own future at Arsenal is also up in the air as he fails to make an impact during his loan spell with French giants Marseille.The Gunners are reportedly considering selling him to raise funds this summer, and so Unai Emery should include Nwaneri in Villa’s transfer plans as he looks to keep building a squad capable of challenging on all fronts. 🔄 Aston Villa Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on signings, departures, and contract news from the Aston Villa boardroom. VISIT THE VILLA TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Villa should be interested in Ethan Nwaneri this summerNwaneri has failed to make an impact in France after leaving Arsenal in the January window, but the reason why that is the case has not been made fully clear.The 19-year-old began life at Marseille with a bang, as he bagged a debut goal against Lens inside 13 minutes and was handed three successive starts by then-boss Roberto De Zerbi.Appearances (starts)8 (3)Goals2Assists1Successful pass %88.2%Chances created per 901.55Successful dribbles per 901.24Nwaneri’s Ligue 1 stats at MarseilleThe Italian was sacked in February after a 5-0 loss to PSG and replaced by former Villa man Habib Beye, who has not seen eye-to-eye with Nwaneri since his arrival.He has not started a league game under Beye, despite scoring against Lille and registering an assist against Lyon, and a new report from L’Equipe has claimed that his “persistent nonchalance” has not impressed the new boss.Nwaneri is not expected to stay at Marseille beyond this season, and recent reports on these shores have claimed that Arsenal could look to sell him and teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly for pure profit in the summer window.Villa should be all over a deal for the 19-year-old, even despite his struggles in France, as he has obvious quality that a top coach like Emery could coax out of him in the years to come.They are in clear need of new attacking signings, with numerous players possibly on their way out, and while a transfer would not come cheap, he would add brilliant depth to the Villa squad as they prepare to return to Champions League action next season.Arsenal’s interest in Rogers could impact potential Nwaneri moveIt is no secret that several of Europe’s biggest clubs are interested in signing Villa star Rogers this summer, with Arsenal known to be keen admirers.Sources have told Football Insider that Villa want £100million for Rogers, which is a figure that the Gunners could be put off by, given how much they spent last summer.It would surely make sense for all parties, then, to include Nwaneri as a sweetener in a deal for Rogers, with Arsenal also parting with some cash.He would be close to a direct replacement for the England man, as he can play on the left or as a number 10 and possesses great dribbling skills, balance and composure. 🦁 ASTON VILLA INSIDER UPDATE 🦁 Get the inside track on the Villa Park dugout, transfer strategy, player wages, and technical leadership at Bodymoor Heath.
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