Bournemouth are exploring a January loan move for Arsenal's highly-rated teenage forward Ethan Nwaneri as they prepare for the departure of key attacker Antoine Semenyo.
Cherries Seek Attacking Reinforcements
The south coast club are actively looking to reshape their attack ahead of the second half of the season. This urgency comes with the pending sale of current striker Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, creating a significant gap in their frontline options.
Bournemouth's hierarchy believe a temporary deal for the 18-year-old Arsenal prospect could be a smart piece of business. Nwaneri has found first-team opportunities severely limited at the Emirates Stadium this campaign, making a loan switch appear logical for his development.
Nwaneri's Limited Role at Arsenal
The young talent has been restricted to just 11 appearances in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side during the current season. A closer look at his gametime reveals a player on the fringes: only three of those outings have been starts.
Two of those starts came in the Carabao Cup, with the other occurring during a comfortable Champions League group stage victory over Club Brugge. His involvement in the Premier League has been minimal, with just six substitute appearances to his name. He has not featured in the league since Arsenal's 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in late November.
Player's Stance and Future Prospects
Despite Bournemouth's interest, sources close to the player indicate a loan move in this January window is considered unlikely. Nwaneri is understood to believe he can gain valuable experience being part of a serious Premier League title challenge at Arsenal, especially if the club goes on to win the championship.
Arsenal's position is clear: they have no intention of selling a player of his obvious potential. However, they are conscious of the need for him to play regular football at some stage. The club and player are content to be patient and reassess the situation in the summer.
Should a future permanent move materialise, Nwaneri is thought to favour a switch to a major club abroad. German giants Borussia Dortmund had previously registered interest but were disappointed when the teenager signed a new contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2025.
