Arsenal set to complete gamble on defender with no first-team experience

Omar Rekik

Arsenal are closing in on young Hertha Berlin defender Omar Rekik and will sign him in the January transfer window subject to a medical, a report has claimed.

The 19-year-old has yet to play a first-team game for Hertha but was a standout player at youth level. He has been a regular for the German club’s Under-19 side over the past two seasons.

Having made the first-team bench three times last term, the Tunisia Under-18 star has played for Hertha’s reserves in 2020-21. He caught the eye and the Gunners look set to swoop despite his lack of experience.

Bild (via Sports Mole) claims that Rekik has been given permission to ‘take all medical tests’ ahead of a move to the Emirates.

It is thought that the talented youngster will be loaned back to Hertha for the second half of the current campaign. However, a report by football.london also states that he will train with the Arsenal first-team squad.

A fee in the region of £600,000 has been mentioned for a player that has attracted attention across Europe.

Arsenal tried to sign him during the summer transfer window but were beaten by time. But now it appears as though they are about to get their man.

Transfer season about to start

January will see clubs able to sign new players and Arsenal have already been linked with many. However, it remains to be seen who manager Mikel Arteta opts to bring in.

 

The Spanish tactician has already stated that the north Londoners will look to jettison players next month. But there could be a few new arrivals as they look to build on recent successes.

It was all doom and gloom until victory over Chelsea followed by a 1-0 win at Brighton. Nobody is getting carried away and fans will want to see some quality additions in the winter window.

One man linked is Real Madrid star Isco. It is obvious that Arsenal need more creativity in the middle of the park and the Spaniard would bring that.

The Spain international is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2022 but currently on the peripheries of the side. He has started just three La Liga games and a six-month loan deal has been mooted for the midfielder.

On a potential move, Arteta said: “Obviously we cannot talk about individual players.”

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