Arsenal: Gedion Zelalem close to joining Rangers on loan until January

Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has reportedly agreed to join Scottish club Rangers on loan, with the initial deal being until January with an option to extend it until the end of the season, according to The Guardian.

Arsene Wenger is keen for the young players on the cusp of a first-team breakthrough at Arsenal to go out on loan and get valuable first-team experience at a top level club.

The French manager has already sanctioned loan moves for Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden, who have joined Hull City in the Championship, while Serge Gnabry has joined West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League with Dan Crowley and Jon Toral joining Barnsley and Birmingham City respectively.

Zelalem has been touted for a great future by the Gunners manager, and was part of the north London club's first-team squad from the time he was 16 years old.

The German-born United States U20 international impressed during this summer's U20 World Cup, playing a starring role in leading his team to the quarter-finals of the tournament, which they lost to the eventual winners Serbia in a penalty shootout.

According to Scottish daily Daily Record, the 18-year-old midfielder landed in Glasgow on Tuesday afternoon (18 July) and was whisked straight to the club's Murray Park training complex for talks with manager Mark Warburton with regards to agreeing a deal.

The report claims that there were plenty of clubs from England's Championship keen to sign the young midfielder, but according to the Guardian, Wenger believes Zelalem will benefit from playing in front of big crowds at the Ibrox Stadium.

Zelalem will become Arsenal's 14<sup>th summer departure following the exits of various first-team and academy stars, with four players released on a permanent basis with a further nine leaving the club on loan to various Championship and Premier League clubs.