According to recent reports Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem is being lined up for a loan move to Dutch side VVV Venlo in the coming week.
Borussia Dortmund considered a move for Zelalem in this month’s transfer window before opting against the move and it has left the way clear for Venlo to land the United States youth international on a temporary basis.
Zelalem, 19, joined Arsenal in 2013 after being spotted playing in America and he made his first-team debut in January 2014 at the age of 16 in an FA Cup tie against Coventry before going on to make his Champions League debut later that year.
The highly rated midfielder spent last season on loan at Scottish giants Rangers, helping them to win promotion back to the Scottish Premiership as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wanted him to gain first-team experience. But Zelalem has not been able to establish himself in Wenger’s star-studded first-team since his return from Rangers, with his only two appearances this season coming as a substitute in the EFL Cup.
Zelalem is a player who is blessed with vision, guile, and delivery. The German-born youngster was once touted as the next Fabregas in Arsenal, however, unlike Fabregas, he has found difficulties breaking into the first team despite his prized skillset.
A loan to the second-tier leaders Venlo would allow Zelalem to continue his development by playing regular first-team football.