Report: Marcelo Flores is on the verge of leaving Arsenal on loan

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Arsenal wonderkid Marcelo Flores is reportedly on the verge of joining Spanish second division side Real Oviedo on a season-long loan deal.

The now-18-year-old has been at Arsenal since joining them from Ipswich Town in March 2019. He is viewed by many at the club as a massive talent, and he’s now set to get his first opportunity to go out on loan and get some experience under his belt.

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Marcelo Flores is on the verge of leaving Arsenal on loan

According to ESPN Mexico, Spanish Segunda Division side Real Oviedo are close to securing the services of Flores on loan for the whole of next season.

The report claims that ‘all the teams’ in La Liga 2 want Flores, while the talented youngster also has offers from multiple clubs from across Europe. A few MLS sides were reportedly interested too, but it looks like Oviedo have won the race to sign him.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to let Flores leave on loan this summer, but they are completely against adding a purchase option in the deal. The Gunners view him as one of their main prospects and want him back at the club next summer.

Flores’ contract expires at the end of next season, but Arsenal have an option to extend that until 2025.

Arteta reportedly angered the teenager recently

Flores was called up by Mexico for the under-20 World Cup recently and the youngster was ready to go. However, Arsenal boss Arteta reportedly blocked that move as he wanted to the teenager to be a part of pre-season.

The Mexican accepted that and looked forward to going on tour with the Gunners first team, but Arteta reportedly changed his mind in the end. 17-year-old Reuell Walters was the only academy player picked for the United States tour, and that apparently hasn’t gone down well with the Mexican.

Arteta’s decision is said to have angered Flores, which is understandable as the youngster sacrificed the opportunity of representing his country’s under-20 side at the World Cup. That resulted in Mexico getting knocked out by Guatemala.

Flores, branded as ‘excellent’ by Kevin Betsy, will definitely get over the anger now, and it looks like he now has a huge opportunity to get some experience under his belt, where he can show the world what he’s all about. A good season there will surely convince Arteta to have another look at him next year.

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