Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal reach Omar Rekik decision as Mikel Arteta eyes repeat of transfer masterstroke

Arsenal defender Omar Rekik

Arsenal will allow centre-half Omar Rekik to leave on loan this summer in a move that could be a repeat of a recent transfer masterstroke, TEAMtalk understands.

The centre-half, 20, spent the majority of last season with Arsenal’s Under-23s. Omar Rekik featured 14 times in the Premier League 2 and by all accounts, he impressed.

Rekik joined the Gunners in the 2021 January transfer window, but fast forward 18 months and the time is now right to spread his wings.

TEAMtalk has learned Arsenal will allow Rekik to leave on loan this summer. Interest has already emerged from clubs within Germany and the Netherlands.

The move would share similarities with how Arsenal have handled fellow centre-half, William Saliba.

The Frenchman is yet to make a single senior appearance for the Gunners since joining in 2019. He has been loaned back to France three times, though his latest stint with Marseille was a roaring success.

Indeed, Saliba earned a place in the Ligue 1 team of the season for his colossal efforts this year. He also scooped the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award.

Mikel Arteta recently confirmed he intends to integrate Saliba into his first-team plans next season. The Spaniard also stressed Saliba wouldn’t have progressed as rapidly as he has without his loan spells away.

Arteta told RMC Sport: “[Saliba] needs to come back. He has the experience and environment necessary to be competitive for us.

“If he had stayed with us this year, with a Premier League game per week with Ben White and Gabriel, he wouldn’t have had half the game time he got at Marseille, that’s certain.”

We understand Arsenal see a similar journey unfolding for Rekik who has regularly impressed when called up to first-team training.

Saliba’s time to shine

Marseille are keen to bring Saliba back on board, though Arteta’s comments suggest any and all approaches will be rebuffed.

While the Gunners narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, a campaign in the Europa League does still await.

That will give Saliba plenty of opportunities to finally make his mark in north London. Should he impress, few would be surprised to see him break up the Gabriel-Ben White partnership in the Premier League.