Arsenal strike agreement over permanent defender transfer after loan deal expires

Arsenal U21 defender Maldini Kacurri, who has been capped by Albania, is set to embark on a new chapter in the EFL following a loan spell in the National League with Morecambe

Grimsby have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri on a permanent transfer.

The League Two outfit are now in the process of finalising personal terms with the player following the conclusion of his National League loan spell with Morecambe.

Kacurri made one senior appearance for the Gunners, coming off the bench to replace Riccardo Calafiori in the 5-1 Carabao Cup demolition of Bolton Wanderers in September 2024.

He was also named on the bench for the 1-0 north London derby victory at Tottenham nine days earlier but was an unused substitute.

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Kacurri has also been capped by his country Albania and featured in a 1-0 friendly victory over Gibraltar last September.

Morecambe were keen to extend the 20-year-old’s loan which expired on January 2 and held talks with Arsenal to discuss that prospect but an agreement could not be reached.

A key reason behind that was Kacurri had interest from higher up the pyramid after sparkling in the National League and winning two consecutive Player of the Month awards at Morecambe.

Now, providing the formalities can be completed, he is set to bolster a promotion-chasing Grimsby side that have not conceded a league goal since December 20.

Kacurri, who joined the club from Fulham back in 2022, has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season – 18 for Morecambe, four for Arsenal U21s – scoring one goal.

He has also been involved in first-team training since returning to north London but he was not thought to be close to breaking into Mikel Arteta’s squad despite his progress on loan.

The Albania international also spent time on loan at Bromley last season but only made three appearances for The Ravens.

Fellow youth starlet Charles Sagoe Jr is available for a loan this month but nothing is close to materialising at this moment in time.

Where incomings are concerned, Arsenal are not expected to add any new players to their squad following a record-breaking summer where eight new arrivals rocked up at the Emirates Stadium.

Last night, the Gunners sealed top spot in the Champions League group phase standings to bank a whopping £48.9million in prize money.

Arteta’s side will now face Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos, who are all involved in the play-off round, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Whoever they play, Arsenal are guaranteed a home draw in the second leg of the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, providing they make it there.