Arsenal are set for a second departure before the end of the January transfer window as forward Marquinhos is on the verge of joining Championship side Norwich City on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Gunners, who sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, are yet to sanction any departures this transfer window, focusing instead on incomings as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad in a bid to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
However, a loan move to Fulham for Cedric Soares is ‘on the verge of being completed’, which will see the Cottagers cover all of his £100k per week wages, and Marquinhos is likely to follow the Portuguese defender out of the door on a temporary basis in search of additional first team football.
Like Cedric, the teenage Brazilian has been used mainly in cup competitions since his summer move to the Emirates Stadium from Brazil, and with Arsenal having exited both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup early, his opportunities have been limited, while he has not featured in the Premier League as of yet.
And the arrival of Leandro Trossard this January, plus the impending return of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe from injury, would likely see his few opportunities further reduced as Arsenal look to battle Manchester City for the Premier League title.
As a result, a loan has been considered the best option, and the Brazilian will now be tasked with helping Norwich secure promotion back to the top flight, with the Canaries currently sitting among the play-off spots in the Championship. With Todd Cantwell having moved to Rangers earlier in the window, there should be plenty of opportunities to impress in East Anglia.
