Arsenal have completed their first signing of the January transfer window following a mixed start to the season.
The Gunners have been working quietly to secure the arrival of 19-year-old Omar Rekik who trained with the squad on Wednesday.
A recent improvement in form has seen them record three wins on the bounce in the league, leaving them within touching distance of the European spots.
Mikel Arteta is set to use the January window to try and go after a new creative midfielder, but it seems they’re casting their net wider than that.
The Arsenal squad will likely be trimmed this winter, with as many as eight first-team players said to be on the transfer list.
But Arteta is also planning for the future, and seems to have done so with his first signing.
Rekik, who has looked impressive for Hertha Berlin, reportedly underwent a medical at Coloney earlier this week.
Arsenal paid just £540,000 for his services, according to Bild.
Per Mertesacker, who works with Arsenal’s academy, reportedly had a key role to play in the transaction.
Rekik joined up with the first-team squad immediately for training, but is expected to play for the youth team at first.
The youngster initially spent time in Manchester City’s academy before leaving for PSV.
His contract is up at the end of the season, and that could be part of the reason for Arsenal being able to get him for such a relatively cheap fee.
He is unlikely to be the only player Arsenal sign this month, with reports suggesting they’ll make a move for a new creative playmaker once Mesut Ozil has left – a move that will save the club £350,000-per-week until the end of the season.
