According to Fabrizio Romano, Hertha Berlin are on the verge of sealing a permanent deal for Arsenal Academy defensive midfielder Bradley Ibrahim.
The 19-year-old has featured regularly for Mehmet Ali’s under-21s this season, gaining valuable experience in Premier League 2 and the Uefa Youth League.
He was previously part of Jack Wilshere’s side that enjoyed a swashbuckling run to the final of last season’s FA Youth Cup.
We might be wrong, but we don’t recall Bradley being part of a matchday squad under Mikel Arteta and with whippersnappers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly coming through the ranks, he may have accepted that a move is best for his development.
Apparently, Arsenal will have the right to match any future offer should someone try and buy him from Hertha Berlin and we’ve also negotiated a sell-on clause and add-ons for appearances.
Hertha currently play their football in Bundesliga 2 where they are 10th in the table.
⚪️🔵 Hertha Berlin agree permanent deal to sign Bradley Ibrahim from Arsenal.
Player in Berlin with agent Alan Redmond from Roc Nation.
🔴⚪️ Exclusive details:
◉ Contract until 2027.
◉ Arsenal will have matching rights.
◉ Healthy sell-on clause + add-ons for appearances. pic.twitter.com/pUboLhFMla
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2024
Elsewhere, Mika Biereth has explained why he took the opportunity to switch from Motherwell to Sturm Graz.
After impressing in the first half of the campaign, the Denmark under-21 international left the SPL side a couple of weeks ago.
In an interview with tipsbladet.dk, he said: “We sat down and looked at whether it was worth ending the loan deal at Motherwell, where I did very well.
“We quickly agreed that it would be worth it, because it would be a step up for me to try my hand at Sturm Graz.
“It all happened very quickly. In a few days I have traveled from Scotland to London, from London to Austria and now from Austria to Turkey, where we are at a training camp, says Biereth.
He added: “I definitely think that the level is higher here when compared to Motherwell.
“They are also two different types of playing style, because in Motherwell we played very defensively without many chances, and in Sturm Graz we attack more and a lot of chances are created. It can only be good for me.”
Biereth scored on his debut for Sturm Graz, a friendly against Ukrainian opposition, and is hoping Austria gives him a platform to impress Mikel Arteta.
“It’s not just my dream, it’s probably the dream of many to play for Arsenal,” he explained.
“All I can do is get better and better when I’m away on loan. Hopefully I can get the opportunity when I come back to the club.
“Arsenal keep an eye on all my matches, and that’s good, so hopefully I can get even better when I go back.”
Anyone have any numbers on what we sold him for?
This is exactly what we need to be doing though. Bring decent youths through the academy and sell them, make pure profit and including intelligent clauses for the future.
Might not be a lot of money but may this be the start of a much better end product from our academy. I say better as in consistent.
And naturally, we’ll produce a star or two for ourselves as well 😀
Hoping he progresses up to a top player, he has a very good build/skillset!
Disappointed to see Bradley leave but I wish him well in Germany and if he develops we can bring him home, good to see the academy generating some income.
Bradley Ibrahim has been in the matchday squad 3 times.
Twice in the Europa League last season (Bodo glimt away, PSV away) and once in the premier League this season (Burnley home)