By Matt Farr
Arsenal youngster Gedion Zelalem is moving closer to a move to Borussia Dortmund – and fans are not happy.
The 19-year-old midfielder made his professional debut for the club in January 2014, but has made just four appearances since.
He spent last season on loan at Scottish giants Rangers, where he contributed eight assists from 28 appearances in all competitions.
However, upon his return to the Gunners, he has not had enough opportunities to impress Arsene Wenger in the first-team squad, and could be leaving the club this month.
The Sun reported on Tuesday that Borussia Dortmund were making good progress in pursuit of a deal for the Gunners youngster, and the midfielder could be prepared to the leave the club to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.
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Zelalem has just six months left on his current contract, and a permanent switch to his native Germany seems the next option for him.
However, Arsenal fans took to social media to reveal their concerns over the pending departure, revealing that Wenger has not given him enough chances to prove his worth.
Here are some of their messages on Twitter:
Why on earth are we getting rid of our pure talent? This guy never gets a look in for game time yet he's highly rated by Dortmund. Fishy 🐟
— Gaming Akhtar Style (@GameAkhtarStyle) January 10, 2017
State of English football that players like Gnabry & Zelalem aren't given chances on loan but are good enough for Bayern/Dortmund
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) January 9, 2017
and then he goes on to become a superstar at Signal Iduna Park 😭 come on Wenger hang on to this kid.
— Anele. (@AneleAk) January 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/brendanisyodad/status/818495145251323904
Oh nooo 😱
— . (@Atzakhary) January 9, 2017
this is a joke right zalalem out??
— Edward Poyongo ~epn-Jr (@EdoNyoka) January 9, 2017
good for him but we will regret letting him go in the long run! Such a promising young lad!
— SNG (@Bayog1) January 9, 2017
Arsenal are also in talks to let another young star leave the club this month, with Rangers eyeing midfielder Jon Toral.
The player has returned to the Gunners following a disappointing spell with Granada, and Arsenal are now hoping to send him to Ibrox to continue his development.
The Mail claim he has arrived in Glasgow to complete the deal.
Football Insider verdict
Despite making just four first-team appearances during his time at Arsenal, Zelalem could be a future star for the Gunners. His spell at Rangers last term was perfect for his development, but his progress has stalled this term. Another loan move would have been the best option for Arsenal, but Arsenal appear to have got their mind made up on Zelalem already, and are happy to let him leave permanently. The have let several promising youngsters leave in the past, and Zelalem has the potential to make it another regrettable decision. If Zelalem is consider good enough to have a role in the Dortmund first-team, surely he is good enough to stay on the books at the Emirates?
In other Arsenal transfer news, the Gunners are on alert as a player they have long-admired may be available to sign this month.
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