Mikel Arteta could soon be short of attacking options as Eddie Nketiah is now ‘pushing’ to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window, with Crystal Palace frontrunners for a deal.
That’s according to football.london, who note Nketiah has decided now is the time to leave the Emirates Stadium. The striker’s contract will expire in June, but is keen to move having rarely featured in Arteta’s plans this season.
Arsenal are also eager to sell Nketiah in January if he continues to reject new contracts to recoup a fee. Per talkSPORT, the Gunners valued the England U21 sensation at £20m last year. But they may only get £8m in compensation if he joins an English side as a free agent.
Nketiah’s camp were keen to explore the free agent market in the Bundesliga at the end of the season. The Sun report the forward’s representatives set their sights on earning a big payday with a switch to Germany.
But they are yet to receive any formal offers, while Crystal Palace are now frontrunners for his signature. The Times also note the Eagles have begun talks with the Gunners for a deal.
Crystal Palace sought to sign Nketiah last year, too, with a £12m bid, but ultimately baulked at Arsenal’s valuation. Patrick Vieira’s side have now revived their pursuit with Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Crystal Palace to deplete Arsenal striker depth with Nketiah transfer
Crystal Palace and Arsenal are yet to agree on terms for Nketiah’s transfer with his contract in the final six-months. The Eagles could still also face rival Premier League interest yet.
Newcastle United have also opened talks with the Gunners over Nketiah’s availability this month, per 90min. Additionally, the Daily Mail note West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion likewise admire the 22-year-old and could move.
Nketiah was planning to leave Arsenal at the end of his contract this June, football.london previously noted. He also informed the north Londoners in November that he considered his future away from the Emirates and wants to leave the club in 2022, per the Daily Mail.
He appears to have pulled a slight U-turn, as Nketiah is now pushing to leave Arsenal in the January sales. Arteta has only fielded the striker with 16 goals in 17 England U21 outings in seven of the Gunners’ fixtures so far this season, starting four, across all competitions.
Nketiah is also yet to start a Premier League game after three outings for just 38-minutes. Even though Arteta told the Arsenal website that the forward is ‘extraordinary’ in 2020.
Arsenal now selling Nketiah with Crystal Palace frontrunners for a January transfer would leave Arteta short of strikers, though. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also at AFCON and is out of Arteta’s plans, who would only have Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
