Milan's pursuit of Ethan Nwaneri has been handed a lift, with the Arsenal youngster now cleared to leave before the window shuts.
The Rossoneri have spent this window chasing a playmaker to work behind the striker, ideally off the right, and several names have been floated without any of them getting close. Nwaneri fits the profile they have been hunting.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 19-year-old's exit was set in motion some time ago. “Ethan Nwaneri will leave Arsenal before the end of the summer transfer window, as planned weeks ago. He’s not even on the bench today against Man City despite being involved in pre-season,” he reported.
Being left out of the squad entirely, having featured through pre-season, points to a decision already taken in north London rather than a passing selection call.
Nwaneri has 4 goals in 24 Premier League appearances, enough to show the talent without yet nailing down a regular role in a crowded Arsenal side. A move away is the kind of step that would give him the minutes his development needs.
What the report does not touch is the money: no fee, no structure, no indication of how far apart the clubs might be, or whether Milan are even the frontrunners among his suitors. The squad exclusion tells us he is available, not that a deal is in motion.
For now, the opening is there and the next move belongs to Milan, who have to turn a long-standing target into a concrete bid before the window closes.