“Either they sell him or sack me…I can’t manage the team he plays”: Mikel Arteta threatened Arsenal to sell £57m star or he leaves after horrible display vs Brighton
“Either they sell him or sack me…I can’t manage the team he plays”: Mikel Arteta threatened Arsenal to sell £57m star or he leaves after horrible display vs Brighton
Fabrizio Romano reports that Omar Rekik is no longer an Arsenal player, having terminated his contract by mutual agreement on transfer deadline day.
Romano adds that Rekik is now a free agent, having specifically requested to leave and try something new in his playing career.
Rekik had been linked with a few different clubs ahead of Friday’s deadline, but when nothing panned out, it seems he and Arsenal decided a contract termination was the best thing for them both.
Walid El Mechri of Africafoot had reported that 2. Bundesliga club SSV Jahn Regensburg were interested in Rekik, with Eintracht Braunschweig and Plymouth Argyle also showing an interest.
At the time, El Mechri suggested Rekik preferred the move to Germany. His contract termination means that’s still a possibility even now, after the deadline.
Rekik has had a difficult few seasons at Arsenal, and 2023/24 was particularly tough.
The Tunisian began 2023/24 on loan with Wigan Athletic in League One, but after 14 appearances he dropped out of the squad in early December – amid rumours that he’d move to join Swiss club Servette FC.
Though that move did take place, registration issues meant Rekik couldn’t play for Servette at all for the duration of his loan. He returned to Arsenal without a single minute played in Switzerland.
Rekik leaves Arsenal having played 17 times for the Arsenal u21s, but his only experience with the first team was in training and friendly matches.
