Arsenal get financial boost after Ethan Nwaneri loan struggles as midfielder talks planned

Arsenal attacking midfielders Ethan Nwaneri and Fabio Vieira have both completed their loan spells with Marseille and Hamburger SV, respectively

12:48, 18 May 2026Updated 12:51, 18 May 2026

Ethan Nwaneri joined Marseille on loan from Arsenal in January

Marseille are expected to be hit with a financial penalty due to Ethan Nwaneri’s lack of minutes while on loan from Arsenal.

As part of the initial loan agreement that was struck between the clubs in January, OM committed to a basic loan fee worth in the region of £1.3million plus undisclosed bonuses centred around Nwaneri’s playing time.

While the finer details remain confidential, it’s understood that the more Nwaneri played, the less Marseille – also covering his salary – would eventually pay.

The 19-year-old clocked up just 412 minutes from a possible 1710 across all competitions and was an unused substitute in five of OM’s final six Ligue 1 matches.

He is now set to return to Arsenal this summer, though his long-term future at the club remains in doubt.

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After replacing Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille head coach Habib Beye publicly questioned the England U21 international’s application in training.

Arteta declared earlier this month that he hoped Nwaneri would “learn” from his demoralising ordeal at the Stade Velodrome.

Meanwhile, Bundesliga side Hamburger SV will not be triggering their £19.16m (€22m) option to buy Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira.

After a bumpy start in Germany, the 25-year-old played a key role in the club’s push for survival, scoring seven Bundesliga goals and registering five assists.

Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira has impressed in Germany while on loan at Hamburg(Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

He rifled home a brilliant strike on the final day of the season on Saturday in a 1-1 draw away at Bayer Leverkusen.

Following the conclusion of the match, Vieira refused to confirm whether he would be returning to Hamburg next season.

The attacking midfielder, who joined the Gunners from FC Porto in a deal worth up to £35.2million in the summer of 2022, is due to enter the final year of his Arsenal contract this summer.

The Premier League leaders are keen to offload him as he does not feature in Mikel Arteta’s ambitious plans.

HSV would like to pay under €10m (£8.7m) to land Vieira permanently but that figure is substantially lower than the value of HSV’s buy-option which was hastily negotiated between the clubs on transfer deacline day in September.

Arsenal expect Vieira to attract interest from elsewhere following his eye-catching season and conversations over the player’s future will not take place until after the Champions League final.

Vieira also plans to sit down with his representatives to discuss his options, stating on Saturday: “I have to be open to everything. Let’s see what happens.”

When asked if he could envisage staying at Hamburg, he added: “I can’t say that yet. No matter what the future brings, I was very happy here and will be forever grateful to the HSV. The club did everything for me, the support was amazing. I feel the love of the fans and the club. They all love me.”

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