Medical now completed as Arsenal finalise loan move for African prospect

The Gunners have wrapped up another temporary deal with less than a day left in the January transfer window.

Following the busy end to last summer which saw the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez added to the squad in late August, Arsene Wenger was not expected to be too busy in the transfer market during the winter.

The Arsenal manager has rather focused on trimming his squad as youngsters who are in need of playing time have been sent out on loan.

And the latest to join that list is Ismaël Bennacer who has now completed a loan move to Ligue 2 side Tours until the end of the current campaign.

The 19-year-old underwent a medical at the French club’s facility earlier on Monday and he is expected to make his debut for Fabien Mercadal’s team this weekend.

The loan move for Bennacer, who returned from duty with Algeria at the Africa Cup of nations only a few days ago, comes after another young midfielder Gedion Zelalem was confirmed to have secured a six-month switch to VVV Venlo.

With the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Joel Campbell, Jack Wilshere, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and other versatile players still on Arsenal’s books, it remains to be seen what room there is in the first team for the surplus attacking midfielders who have recently been sent out on loan.