Andreas Schicker, Managing Director Sport of Austrian Bundesliga club Sturm Graz, has revealed that he will hold further talks with Arsenal over extending the loan of Arthur Okonkwo during the international break next month.
The Anglo-Nigerian goalkeeper spent the first half of the 2022-2023 season at Crewe Alexandra but was recalled from his loan spell at the League Two club before heading to Sturm Graz, where he will spend the remainder of the season.
Sturm Graz could not loan in Okonkwo for more than six months because Fifa’s new loan regulation that came into effect in July 2022 states that the maximum duration of a loan deal is one year.
The three-time Austrian champions are eager to retain the services of Okonkwo beyond June 2023 with a second successive loan planned for the entirety of the 2023-2024 season.
The Hale End Academy graduate has started all the matches played by Sturm Graz since his arrival at the club, keeping one clean sheet on his Austrian Bundesliga debut against Rapid Vienna.
In quotes relayed by Laola1, Schicker said on Sky Sport Austria : “I’m in contact with Arsenal’s Loan Manager almost weekly, because they follow his development closely.
“During the international break, they will come or I will fly to London and then we will have further talks.”
Okonkwo has a contract with parent club Arsenal until June 30, 2024, and has received ten call-ups for first team matches without making his debut for the Gunners.