Ethan Nwaneri is poised to join Marseille on loan until the end of the season, with Arsenal keen to allow the England Under-21 midfielder to depart given he has barely featured this season.

Nwaneri has played 165 minutes in the Premier League, having excelled in his breakthrough campaign, when he scored nine goals in all competitions. He has not appeared in the league since the end of November, when he came on in the north London derby.

Arsenal were initially reluctant to allow him to leave given they are still in four competitions but it is understood they have recognised Nwaneri needs game time. Crystal Palace and West Ham are believed to have also shown interest in a loan but Marseille, coached by Roberto De Zerbi, have emerged as his expected destination after positive talks with the Premier League leaders over the terms of a deal.

The French side are to pay a loan fee but there will be no option to make his move permanent at the end of the season, with Nwaneri considered one of Arsenal’s brightest talents. He signed a new five-year deal in August after strong interest from Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund.

The 18-year-old is with the Arsenal squad for their Champions League game at Inter on Tuesday and is expected to complete his move this week.

Oleksandr Zinchenko also looks poised to leave, with Ajax in talks over a permanent deal for the Ukraine international. He is on loan at Nottingham Forest but has only started four Premier League games.