Exclusive: Grimsby make approach for Arsenal’s Maldini Kacurri
Grimsby Town have made an approach for Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri on loan, sources have told Football Insider.
Kacurri has just finished a successful spell on loan at Morecambe where he greatly impressed, winning their Player of the Month awards for both October and November, respectively.
The Albanian international’s impressive form at Morecambe means that he has attracted interest from teams higher up the pyramid, with a view to either a loan or a permanent deal.
League Two side Grimsby are keen to bolster their defensive options and have spoken to Arsenal over a potential deal for Kacurri.
The 20-year-old is well down the pecking order of Mikel Arteta’s star-studded first-team, but he was part of the first-team squad for the 1-0 win over rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby in September 2024.
Grimsby to benefit from clear Arsenal stance on Maldini Kacurri
Football Insider revealed at the start of January that Arsenal were prepared to let Kacurri leave this month, with the Premier League giants willing to sanction either a loan or permanent exit.
The success of Arteta’s team in recent years has resulted in youngsters being afforded limited opportunities to impress within the first-team setup at the Emirates Stadium.
Kacurri has made one senior appearance for his parent club since he came through the academy ranks, and that came in September 2024 when he replaced Riccardo Calafiori during a Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers.
He has since had a brief three-game loan spell in League Two with Bromley last season, before moving to join Morecambe in the first half of this campaign.
Grimsby and David Artell have clearly been impressed by his displays for the struggling Shrimps and are now prepared to offer him a route back into the EFL for his next loan move.
Potential postponements could cause havoc in League Two
Several League Two games are at risk of a potential postponement on Tuesday night, after the Met Office have issued yellow weather warnings for rain and snow across the UK.
League Two table-toppers Bromley could see their game against play-off chasing Crewe Alexandra affected, with their Hayes Lane home falling inside the current warning.
The same can also be said of Christian Fuchs’ Newport County, who could see their meeting with Accrington come under threat.
Grimsby are in action away at Colchester United in what could be a crucial clash in terms of the play-off picture at the end of the season.