RB Leipzig in advanced talks to sign Arsenal youngster – Report

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Just Arsenal News

·4 août 2026

RB Leipzig in advanced talks to sign Arsenal youngster – Report

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri continues to attract strong interest from Europe, with fresh reports suggesting RB Leipzig are now in advanced talks over a potential move for the highly-rated teenager.

Just Arsenal reported yesterday that RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen were both showing strong interest in the 19-year-old after a difficult loan spell at Marseille, where first-team opportunities proved limited following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure.

Vidéos OneFootball

According to FootballTransfers, Leipzig have now moved into pole position and are in advanced discussions with Arsenal over a deal that could be worth between €35 million and €40 million.

Leipzig reportedly leading the race

The report claims AC Milan have also made contact over Nwaneri’s situation but may struggle to finance a move unless they first generate significant funds through player sales.

Leipzig, meanwhile, are expected to have greater spending power this summer and reportedly view Nwaneri as a potential replacement should highly-rated winger Yan Diomande complete his expected move to Real Madrid.

The Bundesliga side are believed to value Nwaneri’s versatility, with the England youth international capable of operating both centrally and from the right wing.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal keen to protect their long-term interests

Despite reports of growing interest, Arsenal are understandably reluctant to lose control of one of the club’s brightest academy graduates.

According to the report the Gunners are considering inserting a buy-back clause into any permanent transfer, allowing them the opportunity to re-sign Nwaneri should he fulfil his enormous potential elsewhere.

That approach has become increasingly common across Europe, enabling clubs to balance Financial Fair Play considerations while retaining a route back for highly-rated young players.

Arsenal’s willingness to include a buy-back clause would underline just how highly the club still rates Nwaneri. The Hale End graduate has already written his name into Arsenal’s history books on several occasions, most notably by becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League at just 15 years and 181 days. He also became Arsenal’s youngest-ever senior player and, before turning 18, matched John Radford’s long-standing club record of eight senior goals by a teenager. Nwaneri is still regarded as one of English football’s most talented young prospects.

Decision could arrive soon

However, with competition for places at the Emirates stronger than ever during another busy summer of recruitment, regular first-team football may ultimately prove the best option for his development.

Those achievements explain why Arsenal are unlikely to let Nwaneri leave without protecting their long-term interests. If a permanent move to Leipzig does materialise, a buy-back clause could prove to be a sensible compromise, allowing the youngster the regular first-team football he needs while ensuring the Gunners retain the option to bring one of Hale End’s brightest graduates back to north London in the future.

Would you be willing to let Ethan Nwaneri leave if Arsenal secured a buy-back clause, or should the club keep faith with one of its brightest young talents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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