Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry will end his loan spell at West Brom once the two clubs have solved a dispute over a loan fee payment.
Gnabry joined the Baggies on a season-long loan in August but the move has proved a disaster with West Brom boss Tony Pulis claiming in October that the 20-year-old was “not at the level” to play regularly for the club.
He has played just 12 minutes of Premier League football while his only two starts came in the Capital One Cup and talks are ongoing to bring him back to Emirates Stadium.
Pulis was more conciliatory when speaking about Gnabry yesterday, claiming he has struggled with injury and was badly short of match fitness after missing almost all of last season with a serious knee problem.
However, Standard Sport understands the reason that Gnabry has not yet returned is due to an ongoing disagreement over the size of the loan fee West Brom should pay. There was a figure agreed at the outset but West Brom are now believed to be willing only to pay half that amount because the loan is ending prematurely.
Arsenal have been insisting that they should receive the full figure because West Brom were given first option ahead of a host of other clubs and they decided not to give him the game time originally suggested as part of their agreement.
What does January hold for Arsenal?
A resolution is expected shortly with Gnabry likely to be sent out on loan elsewhere in order to get the first-team football he desperately requires.
