Tim Akinola is scheduled to be introduced as an Al-Bidda SC player, according to Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that Arsenal has successfully sold another young gem.
After receiving approval from Arsenal for Akinola to leave the club, the Qatari second division team has reached an agreement to permanently sign the 22-year-old. According to reports, he has already agreed to a three-year contract with Al-Bidda.
Akinola played the previous season on loan at National League club Chesterfield before moving to Arsenal in 2020 on a free transfer from the Huddersfield academy. Despite making 31 appearances for the team, he was unable to provide a goal or an assist.
For Arsenal’s U21 team, the 22-year-old midfielder has appeared in 43 games overall, recording one goal and two assists.
He has never played for the senior team, but he is now expected to quit the Gunners. Al-Bidda will sign Akinola as his first acquisition of the summer.
Al-Bidda had just 10 points at the end of the 2018–19 season, although they are still in the second division for the 2023–24 season.
Arsenal’s recent sales
Marcelo Flores, a fellow young player, has committed to Liga MX powerhouse Tigres permanently, while Nicolas Pepe has committed to Trabzonspor permanently on a one-year deal.
Flores, 19, made 15 appearances for Real Oviedo during his loan season there last year. He has three caps for Mexico’s senior team.
Pepe has agreed to a transfer to Turkey after spending 2022–2023 on loan at OGC Nice in Ligue 1. The Ivorian, who is now 28 years old, made 28 appearances for Nice in all competitions the previous season, contributing one assist and eight goals.
