'Arsenal want to sell' Ethan Nwaneri as Newcastle bid to sign sensation
Newcastle United are among a number of clubs keeping a close eye on Ethan Nwaneri as Arsenal are prepared to cash in this summer.
The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille after struggling to break into Mikel Arteta's starting XI, but failed to impress in France.
Newcastle are believed to have been keeping tabs on his progress, with his ability to play both in midfield and on the right-hand side placing him high on their list.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal are looking to cash in on Nwaneri, and Newcastle could be set to take advantage.
After breaking into the Gunners' first-team plans, he has never managed to establish himself in the starting XI, with both loan and permanent exits now on the cards.
However, the Magpies are far from the only club keeping tabs on the England Under-21 international, and they will face stiff competition for his signature.
Will Newcastle make a move to sign Ethan Nwaneri?
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 3 June that Newcastle are leading the race to sign Nwaneri, with a loan more likely than a permanent deal as things stand.
The likes of Everton, Aston Villa and Italian side Como have all been linked with the Arsenal youngster, but the Magpies are said to have edged ahead of their rivals.
With Arsenal set to allow the teenager to move on, Newcastle have now been given encouragement that a deal is there to be done.
"Arsenal want to sell Ethan Nwaneri, so there are bound to be suitors," Brown told Football Insider.
"Newcastle will be among them, because they know they're going to have to improve after a difficult season, and they might be set to lose players as well.
"Nwaneri can play in midfield and also on the right, so that's two positions where Newcastle would like to strengthen, and he is very much on their radar.
"If they are given indications that he will be available, as I expect, then they could well make a move and I think the player would be open to it.
"A permanent deal is definitely an option, but he could be allowed to leave on loan again as well if Arsenal are willing to wait and see how he develops before next summer.
"But they weren't massively impressed by his performances at Marseille, and another season like that could impact the value they can get for him."
Could Arsenal accept offers for Ethan Nwaneri?
Speculation about Nwaneri's long-term future at the Emirates has come as the Gunners plan to cash in on a number of fringe players in their squad this summer.
Football Insider revealed in March that Andrea Berta has been tasked with raising funds from Arsenal's fringe players, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus potentially moving on.
Nwaneri would fit the bill for Arsenal's new strategy, given his position on the fringes of the squad, while any fee receieved for him would be pure profit.
A loan move is also on the cards, however, and he could be allowed to continue his development before retuning to try his luck at Arsenal.