Football
Peter O'Rourke, Transfer correspondent 7y

Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem near loan to Dutch club VVV Venlo - sources

Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem is being lined up for a loan move to Dutch side VVV Venlo, sources close to the player have confirmed to ESPN FC.

Borussia Dortmund considered a move for Zelalem in this month's transfer window before opting against the move and it has left the way clear for Venlo to land the United States youth international on a temporary basis.

The pending move was earlier reported by Dutch outlet Telesport, which said a deal could be done by Tuesday.

Zelalem, 19, joined Arsenal in 2013 after being spotted playing in America and he made his first-team debut in January 2014 at the age of 16 in an FA Cup tie against Coventry before going on to make his Champions League debut later that year.

The highly rated midfielder spent last season on loan at Scottish giants Rangers, helping them win promotion back to the Scottish Premiership as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wanted him to gain first-team experience.

But Zelalem has not established himself in Wenger's star-studded first-team since his return from Rangers, with his only two appearances this season coming as a substitute in the EFL Cup.

A loan to the second-tier leaders Venlo would allow Zelalem to continue his development by playing regular first-team football.

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