28 October 2023 , 19:30
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Arsenal will consider recalling Brazilian winger Marquinhos from his loan spell with Nantes in January.
The 20-year-old attacker has made just one start in Ligue 1 so far this season - playing just 88 minutes of top-flight action. The Gunners had hoped that Marquinhos would begin to fulfil his potential with regular minutes in France but the switch is yet to pay dividends for Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.
Nantes have even allowed Marquinhos to participate in the Pan American Games in Chile this month with Brazil under-23s - suggesting he is already deemed surplus to requirements. Arsenal were close to reaching a loan agreement with Greek giants Olympiakos for Marquinhos in the summer while he was also briefly discussed by Nottingham Forest during negotiations for Nuno Tavares.
Italian clubs Bologna, Empoli and Frosinone were also among those to enquire about the player's availability. Now the Gunners could seek to mutually terminate Marquinhos' loan with Nantes if there is no drastic turnaround before loaning him elsewhere in January.
Arsenal's loan manager Ben Knapper, who is due to depart for a Norwich City in November, has been monitoring developments from afar alongside Edu and the situation remains under close observation.
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It is unclear whether there is a break clause written into the agreement but it would still be possible to terminate the loan if all parties felt a change of direction would be beneficial. Marquinhos has made six appearances for Arsenal's first-team, netting one goal while he also featured 11 times on loan at Norwich City in the second half of last season.
His contract in north London is due to run until the summer of 2027. Recalls are nothing new at Arsenal - in fact, six players were recalled from loan spells last January before agreements were reached with new clubs.
The most notable moves included Miguel Azeez (Ibiza) and Omar Rekik (Sparta Rotterdam) joining Wigan Athletic and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo leaving Crewe Alexandra to join Sturm Graz in Austria. Salah-Eddine Oulad M'hand also returned from Hull City for treatment on an injury while Brooke Norton-Cuffy headed to Coventry City, who he later helped reach the Championship play-off final, following a positive spell with Rotherham United.
Arsenal are expected to be busy with exits in the January window as departures will prove crucial to additional spending following a statement splurge in the market earlier this summer. The Gunners want to bolster their attack and hold strong interest in Brentford's Ivan Toney, while they could also look to strengthen in midfield and in defence providing the funds are available.
Providing he is fit, Thomas Partey is set to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast with Ghana meaning he would miss a minimum of two Premier League matches.