Arsenal ‘to complete deal for Omar Rekik in January’ after deadline day move for the 18-year-old Hertha Berlin centre-back collapsed
- Arsenal agreed a £900,000 fee with Hertha Berlin for Omar Rekik last month
- But the Gunners failed to complete the deal in time for the 18-year-old defender
- Now reports claim the Dutch-born centre-back will join in the January window
- Rekik was previously at Manchester City’s academy as well as Marseille’s
Arsenal will complete the signing of Hertha Berlin defender Omar Rekik in January, according to reports.
As stated by Sportsmail, the Gunners agreed a £900,000 fee with the Bundesliga outfit on transfer deadline day last month but failed to complete the deal – which was part of negotiations for Matteo Guendouzi’s successful loan move to the German capital – in time.
But football.london claim the 18-year-old Dutch-born centre-back – who was previously at Manchester City – will link up with Mikel Arteta’s men when the window reopens in six weeks’ time.
Arsenal will complete the £900,000 signing of Hertha Berlin defender Omar Rekik in January
The Gunners agreed a fee with Hertha in the summer but failed to complete the move in time
The report claims Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker has promised Rekik regular participation in first-team training once he arrives at the club.
The same outlet adds the north London side are keen on the idea of sending the left-sided centre-back back to Hertha on loan in a bid to help with his development, although no decision is said to have been made on whether that will happen.
Rekik has also allegedly received offers from other European sides, while his brother and fellow defender Karim, 25, left the German side for LaLiga outfit Sevilla on a five-year deal in the summer.
Rekik has yet to make his Bundesliga bow despite being on the bench for three league games last season, and currently plays for Hertha’s second team.
The deal in the summer was part of negotiations for Matteo Guendouzi’s loan move to Hertha
But now Rekik will link up with Mikel Arteta’s men when the window opens in six weeks time
He has scored one goal and registered an assist in eight appearances for the second team this season, while helping his side to two clean sheets in their last three games.
Rekik, a Tunisia Under-21 international having represented the Netherlands’ U18 side, has also previously played at youth level for the likes of Feyenoord, PSV and Marseille.
The capture of Rekik would represent the latest addition in Mertesacker’s youth recruitment drive, which has included the likes of young forward Nikolaj Moller and winger George Lewis.
Reports claim academy manager Per Mertesacker has promised Rekik first-team training
Mertesacker’s youth drive has seen George Lewis (left) and Nikolaj Moller (right) also recruited
