Chelsea and Dortmund Keep Tabs on Nwaneri as Arsenal Star Prepares Summer Reckoning

Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have kept their admiration for Ethan Nwaneri firmly on the agenda, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, with the Arsenal youngster set for a pivotal moment when his loan spell at Marseille concludes this summer.

The 18-year-old midfielder departed the Emirates midway through January, having already made four appearances for the French outfit. His exit proved particularly thorny timing given Mikel Merino's foot injury, which sidelined the Spanish midfielder for an extended spell from early February onwards.

Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts articulated the frustration many felt at Nwaneri's departure, acknowledging the development benefits whilst lamenting the squad depth sacrifice at such a crucial juncture. "Something like this was always my fear about letting Nwaneri leave," Watts wrote. "Undoubtedly good for his development, but given what's at stake this season, my purely selfish preference was to keep the squad as strong as possible until the summer."

With Kai Havertz capable of covering Merino's responsibilities when required, Watts recognised that Nwaneri's continued absence removed a valuable rotation option during the business end of the campaign.

However, Romano clarified that Nwaneri's Marseille move contains no permanent clause, guaranteeing his return to north London come summer. What unfolds thereafter, though, remains decidedly uncertain.

Both Dortmund and Chelsea have harboured longstanding designs on the midfielder. The German side pursued him a year ago when Arsenal were negotiating fresh terms, ultimately leading to a new contract agreement. Chelsea's interest ran parallel to Dortmund's at that juncture, and both clubs have maintained their watching brief.

"That interest remains strong now," Romano explained on his YouTube channel. "Several clubs around Europe are attentive to the situation. But Arsenal have not told the player or his camp that he can leave in the summer."

The transfer expert stressed that nothing has been determined, with Arsenal planning to assess Nwaneri's trajectory at campaign's end rather than rushing any decision now. Dortmund, characteristically, harbour hopes of executing one of their trademark deals—acquiring young talent before potentially moving them on at profit—and Nwaneri sits squarely on their radar. Yet Arsenal remain uncommitted to any exit.

Arteta, meanwhile, has delivered a pointed message to Nwaneri and fellow academy graduates such as Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Gunners boss insisted that Hale End products gain no preferential treatment at the club.

"If we can have players from Hale End, much better because the identity is there," Arteta said. "But at the end they have to earn it. Not for a week, not for a month, for years. Like anybody else, it doesn't matter what department or role you have in the club. You have to sustain performance and that has to be at the very highest level if we want to win and be where we want to be."