Arsenal have completed their first signing of the January transfer window, with the Hertha Berlin star – Omar Rekik set to join after completing a medical.
The London side have been working quietly to secure the signing of the 19-year-old who trained with the squad on Wednesday.
A recent improvement in form has seen Arsenal record three wins consecutively in the Premier League, leaving them within touching distance of a spot in Europe.
Mikel Arteta is set to use the January window to try and sign a new creative midfielder, but it seems the gunners are casting their net wider than just that.
The current squad will likely be trimmed this window, with as many as eight first-team players believed to be on the transfer list. But Arteta is also planning for the future, and seems to have done so with the signing of Rekik.
Arsenal newboy Omar Rekik trained with the U23s today (pictured in background). pic.twitter.com/azYvOOybT2
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 6, 2021
Rekik, who has been impressive for Hertha Berlin, reportedly underwent a medical at Coloney this week. And Arsenal paid only £540,000 for his services, according to Bild.
It is also reported that Per Mertesacker, who works with Arsenal’s academy, had a major role to play in the transaction.
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Rekik joined up with the first-team squad for training, but is expected to play for the youth team for now. The youngster initially spent time in Manchester City’s academy before leaving the club for PSV.
His contract will expire at the end of the campaign, and that could be part of the reason Arsenal were able to sign him for such a relatively cheap fee.
However, He is unlikely to be the only signing this month, with reports suggesting they’ll look to sign a new playmaker once Mesut Ozil leaves – a move that will save Arsenal £350,000-per-week until the end of the season.
