It has been a very busy week for the academy in terms of players departing permanently and on loan, but there is still much more work to do.
With regards to permanent departures, Jordi Osei-Tutu has signed for VfL Bochum, where he had a successful loan spell in the 2019/20 season. At the age of 23, it is the right time for Osei-Tutu to depart although there is a feeling that the right-back could have impressed if he was given a first-team chance a few years ago.
Daniel Ballard is reportedly set to sign for Burnley. Ballard has built up plenty of experience on loan at Millwall and Blackpool, while he has also featured for Northern Ireland at senior level. The centre-back is another example of player who now needs regular game time at senior level.
In terms of loan moves, Mika Biereth has headed out on temporary transfer for the first time with RKC Waalwijk, while Omar Rekik will also be playing in the Eredivisie with Sparta Rotterdam.
Meanwhile, in England Harry Clarke will be spending the season with Stoke City and Tyreece John-Jules has linked up with Ipswich Town as he looks to finally get over his injury struggles.
There are still many other deals that need to be sorted – James Olayinka, Ryan Alebiosu and Matt Smith, for instance, could be sold or loaned.
Tim Akinola and George Lewis have been given new contracts and could be loaned out, and there are other players who are candidates for loans such as Miguel Azeez, Ben Cottrell, Kido Taylor-Hart, Tom Smith, Nikolaj Moller and Mazeed Ogungbo.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I imagine we may see some late loan deals following pre-season. I’m sure Mikel would like to get a look at some of the younger crop such as Patino, Hutchinson and Flores to see where they’re at first.
I’d be half inclined to keep the lads who were getting substitute appearances last season until January. With Europa and League Cup games, I could see the three you mention getting a little game time here and there.
So excited by all three of them and also The Notorious BNC too. You’re right though, preseason will give us a really good idea of where everyone is at.
Bit surprising that Miguel Azeez hasn’t pushed on. He looked impressive in the Europa league a couple of seasons ago
I would say it is down to circumstances and maybe he has to really work on his defensive sides so teams can really use him as a box to box/deep lying player. But it is much better than getting your career destroyed by injuries. He is far away from that. He can still become a good player I think.
Was hoping for more positive news on Miguel Azeez. Hope he shakes off his injuries.
One would imagine Hein or Okwonko (or both) will be loaned out for the season too. Ideally with an option to recall if Ramsdale or Turner suffer a long term injury.
Isn’t Okonkwo officialy No. 3? They gave him a contract and announced his inception in the senior team then there was a friendly or Carabao game where he made errors and things went cold with him.
I would like this.Third choice keepers really don’t see game time. Even 2nd choice hardly gets games.
Well, hardly wecan find a team that accepts a recall anytime we desire. The other side also have some plans for their team dude.
I noticed Hutchinson was mentioned amongst the names so hope he will be given some game time with the first team this season.
What’s happening with Balogun. No one seems to be talking about him either as another loan or part of 1st team
Fulham….watch this space.
Mitrovic is the main man there.
I’d say Forest would be more likely but then I’m not sure how good an idea it is for Balogun to join a team who won’t create that many chances this season. So perhaps a Championship team again would be better.
PL2 has dropped to u21 from u23 so those players – Lewis, Akinola etc. need to move on anyway
New contract for George Lewis? Injury or not, he has not featured at all this season — how did he deserve a new deal?
He’s an asset. It makes sense to extend him to retain any value. Otherwise he goes out of contract and we can’t recoup any of his purchase cost. He’s on what, 2,200 per week? If things don’t work out for him this year or next we can sell him for a small fee. Every little bit helps.