Why Arsenal signing this talented 18-year-old Dutch starlet is a shrewd long-term move

Why Arsenal signing Omar Rekik is a fantastic long-term move

According to the Metro, Arsenal are apparently on the verge of wrapping up a deal for teenage Hertha Berlin centre-back Omar Rekik. The youngster recently shared an Instagram story after jetting down to London, fuelling speculation that he is closing in on a move to the Gunners. 

The North London outfit had agreed a £900,000 fee with Hertha Berlin for the 18-year-old defender back in the summer as a part of the negotiations that saw Matteo Guendouzi move to the Bundesliga club on loan. There wasn’t enough time remaining, however, for the deal to be completed and Rekik will now move to Arsenal in January. (h/t Metro)

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The highly-rated Dutchman started his career in the youth ranks of Feyenoord in his homeland before joining Man City’s youth system in 2012. His only stayed at the Etihad for two years before moving back to the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven in 2014. 

A brief stint at Marseille in France was followed by a move to Germany with Hertha Berlin, where he initially linked up with the club’s U-17 side. The centre-back was eventually promoted to the U-19 side and featured extensively in the U-19 Bundesliga in the following campaign.

Rekik also represented Hertha in the UEFA Youth League in 2018-19 and has made the step up to the club’s reserve side in the German fourth-tier this season. 

As per the report, Arsenal will make a decision on his immediate future after assessing him at close quarters. They could even loan him out to another club to help him further his development. 

Omar Rekik is yet to make the transition to senior football at Hertha Berlin but Arsenal could potentially have a gem on their hands if he goes on to fulfil his promise in North London.

The fans shouldn’t expect to see the 18-year-old making an immediate impact in the first-team but his imminent arrival undoubtedly represents a shrewd bit of business with an eye on the future.

Arsenal have often utilised outcasts like Calum Chambers and Sokratis at the back in their U-23 side this season while Pablo Mari has also featured for the development side. However, it would make a lot more sense for the Gunners to have a promising youngster like Rekik competing for places at the youth level.

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Verdict

Arsenal have already had a lot of problems with another young centre-back in the form of William Saliba. The Frenchman has been linked with another loan move away from North London after failing to make his debut under Mikel Arteta.

With widespread speculations casting doubt over Saliba’s long-term future at the club, the door remains open for a new arrival like Omar Rekik to establish himself in the coming seasons.