Charles Watts, the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, has been discussing a transfer deal for teenager Omar Rekik, which he expects the club to complete during next month’s window, on a recent YouTube video.
A deal has been in the pipeline for some time, and it seems as though the defender is set to move to the Emirates Stadium in the new year.
According to Watts, speaking on Friday, he reported that the club had attempted to sign Rekik during the summer but were unable to complete a deal in time and will make their move again for the 18-year-old as soon as the window opens. Rekik currently plays his football for Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin but is yet to make an appearance in the German top flight (as per Transfermarkt).
Therefore, you could be forgiven for assuming that if the Gunners do complete a move for the player, his signing will be one very much with the future in mind. On the potential transfer, here is what Watts had to say:
“The Omar Rekik deal, [it] looks like that is very imminent. He is the centre-back coming in from Hertha Berlin. He was supposed to be signing in the summer – but it’s going to happen in January; he is in England now. So that deal looks like it’s going to go through. The idea at Arsenal looks like he’s probably going to [be sent] back out on loan. If not, he will be with the Under-23s. This isn’t a signing that is going to be making a significant impact on the first team.”
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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments regarding Omar Rekik…
It seems that in Watts’ view, there is a strong possibility that if a deal is completed, we could see Rekik move out on loan immediately or be integrated into Arsenal’s Under-23 squad whilst he continues his development.
Heading into this weekend’s fixtures, the north London-based club currently find themselves in 15th place in the Premier League and so although this may not be the type of signing that will be seen as one that will turn around their season, perhaps the fans can take encouragement from the fact Arsenal appear to be planning ahead.