Arsenal news: Nigerian starlet Alex Iwobi keen to secure loan move away from the Emirates

Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi is keen to secure a loan move away from the club despite Arsene Wenger wanting him to remain where he is, according to the winger's father. Iwobi, 19, is yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners but travelled with the first team to Singapore as part of their pre-season tour.

Described as a "powerful forward" by the club, he made rapid progress with the club's Under-21 ranks last season, notching up nine goals in the last nine games of the season, and Wenger is keen for the youngster to continue working with the first team.

However, his father Chuka now says a number of clubs across England are interested in taking his son on a loan deal, with the player also keen to secure first team opportunities for himself. Iwobi Snr adds he is hopeful of a final decision being made when the player returns from international duty with Nigeria, with talks with interested parties already under way.

"A few clubs in the United Kingdom and abroad have approached Arsenal to take Alex on loan but Arsene Wenger wants him to be with the first team because he did very well in pre-season," Chuka Iwobi told Goal.

"Alex's preferred option at this stage is to go on loan to gain first team experience and come back to Arsenal later on to fight for a place. Hopefully a loan move will be sorted out by the time Alex comes back from international duties. As regards to the likely club Alex will play for on loan, at the moment discussions are ongoing."

While the closure of the summer transfer window prevents Iwobi from joining another Premier League side, he is free to join a club playing in the Football League as part of the emergency loan window, which remains open until 25 November.