Reiss Nelson is yet to sign his new contract at Premier League runners-up Arsenal with AC Milan submitting a counter offer of nearly £50,000-a-week at San Siro.
It’s almost criminal that Reiss Nelson’s dramatic late winner against Bournemouth in March counted for nothing in the end.
This was supposed to be one of those ‘hallmark of champions’ moments. The vibes, immaculate. The excitement around what could – or should – have been a first Premier League title in two decades palpable in the North London air. Instead, it became a footnote in a season which promised so much but delivered ultimately nothing.
Manchester City’s trademark spring-time surge meant Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side finished second in the end, and focus now turns to constructing a Gunners squad capable of going one step further in 2022/23.
Arsenal hope to keep Reiss Nelson
Nelson did not start a single league game in 2022/23 – all 11 of his appearances coming from the bench – but he is clearly still part of Arteta’s plans at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are offering the academy graduate a new deal. That he is yet to put pen to paper, however, may have something to do with a rival offer from one of Europe’s biggest and most historic footballing institutions. One who, after a decade of disappointment, won the Serie A title in 2022 before reaching the Champions League semi-finals just last season.
AC Milan, Corriere dello Sport report, are offering Nelson a deal worth around £50,000-a-week, though it is not certain if that is before tax or after.
The former England U21 international will officially become a free-agent in just a fortnight’s time. Arsenal will be hoping for a decision sooner rather than later.
The prospect of a Kai Havertz or a Moussa Diaby arriving may have Nelson fearing that first-team opportunities will be even harder to come by in 2023/24.
Then again, whether starts would be easier to come by in Milan is anyone’s guess. Stefano Pioli already has one of the planet’s finest wingers at his disposal – Rafael Leao – but there remains a big drop-off from the Portugal international to the Rossoneri’s other options in the wide areas.
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