With the recent success of Americans in the Bundesliga, it’s no surprise that more teams are taking notice and scouting U.S. talent more frequently.
Borussia Monchengladbach are one such team searching for transfer targets for the upcoming summer window. Along with Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hannover’s Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee, the team are reportedly targeting Arsenal and U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Gedion Zelalem, currently on loan with Dutch second-tier side VVV-Venlo until the end of the season.
Zelalem, who has featured for the U.S. U-20 and U-23 teams, as well as the German U-15, U-16, and U-17 teams, has made just four appearances since signing with Arsenal in 2013. The American midfielder previously spent the 2015-16 season on loan with Rangers in the Scottish Championship, where he made 28 appearances, including a penalty kick conversion to help the team defeat their rivals, Celtic, in the Scottish Cup semifinals.
Given the proximity of the two clubs, it’s little wonder why Gladbach have their eyes closely on the Dutch side. The two towns are a little over 20 miles apart, less than a 30 minute drive, which likely lent some aid in Gladbach’s interest in Zelalem.
Dortmund is just a little over an hour away as well. Perhaps Arsenal is playing the field a little here as well.
If your Venlo you get a player with a lot of potential that has experience earning promotion. If your Arsenal you get a player experience playing in a higher pressure environment than the Premier Reserve League and you get to put him in front of the eyes of a lot of clubs in northern Europe that are a short drive or train ride away not just Monchengladbach driving up the value if he does well.
yep, win-win-win
Didn’t he just sign a contract extension with Arsenal? Meaning Arsenal’s not anywhere near ready to let him go or they will let him go, but for a much higher transfer fee.
They also get extensions because they can get more values from transfers. They do see some value in him, but perhaps not immediately.
The most interesting thing about this article is finding out how close Venlo is to Gladbach. Otherwise this is pointless to even discuss as he’s an Arsenal player on loan and in no position to be moving anywhere for the next 7 months
from what i heard (can’t remember the source), it’s very relevant, as this half-season loan was specifically arranged by the 3 clubs (arsenal, bmg, venlo) with a view to a permanent move to gladbach.
Why? Baby Bradley did very well for several years at Gladbach…actually, playing exactly the same spoty Zelalem would be playing, the 6.
They too picked up Michael Bradley from a Dutch side.
I’ve always thought GZ’s best position was as an 8 or even 10. He just doesn’t have the physical presence or bite that Bradley (or a better 6) has.
Im not questioning Gladbach, im questioning whether or not Zalem has the chops to crack their first team next year.
GZ is not a 6 and neither was Bradley when he was there.
Color me skeptical. Hope Zalem starts to develop into a first team starter, not sure Gladbach is the place for that, time will tell.
He needs some refinement, but I am thinking that they see potential and would be willing to bring the 20 year old (as of 1 week ago) slowly over the next 2 years, but also give him a chance to fight for a place. The EPL does not really do that. They get finished or near finished products. On a side note, that more than anything, harms British players.
well Arsenal is certainly not the place! should be getting loads of minutes in Venlo and then if Gladbach like what they see that could be a great move.
breaking into a mid-table Bundesliga side like Gladbach when he is 20-21 years old might still be a stretch but entirely more possible than Arsenal.