Arsenal finally secured the signing of Riccardo Calafiori this week but the attention may now turn towards moving players out of the Emirates Stadium.
It took a while but Arsenal finally confirmed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori this week.
The Bologna defender has joined up with the Arsenal squad in the United States and gave a message to his new teammates.
Calafiori represents a major signing for Arsenal and will offer depth to Mikel Arteta’s defensive options.
Yet as one new signing arrives, Arsenal need to think about moving players out of the club too.
HITC understands that Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe has agreed a move to London rivals Fulham.
Arsenal striker told to leave
Smith Rowe’s departure is a difficult one for many Arsenal fans having risen through the club’s ranks.
Injuries and selection issues have resulted in Smith Rowe falling out of favour and he has to move on for first-team opportunities at Fulham.
The same may go for striker Eddie Nketiah, another player who has progressed in the Arsenal ranks.
Nketiah started with Chelsea but joined Arsenal as a teenager, spending nine years with the Gunners.
The 25-year-old is now wanted by Marseille, who have signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Tottenham Hotspur as well as landing Mason Greenwood from Manchester United.
HITC understands that Nketiah has already agreed personal terms with Marseille, but there has been a disagreement over the fee involved.
The Athletic now claim that Marseille have offered €20million (£17million) for Nketiah in the hope of striking a deal.
One Marseille man has now asked Pierre-Emile Aubameyang to tempt former Arsenal teammate Nketiah into signing for the club.
Aubameyang offered just two words – ‘deja fait’ – which translates to ‘already done’.
The former Gunners hitman appears to have been putting in work to lure Nketiah to France, despite the fact that Aubameyang himself has left Marseille for Al-Qadsiah this summer.
Aubameyang still has Marseille in his heart though and seemingly feels that Nketiah would love his time with the Ligue 1 side.
Nketiah needs to leave Arsenal
Nketiah has turned out 168 times for Arsenal, which is certainly something to be proud of having come up through the academy.
Unfortunately for Nketiah – and this may apply to Smith Rowe too – Arsenal have developed rapidly under Mikel Arteta.
Breaking into the top four is no longer the aim for Arsenal as they now want the Premier League title.
Not everybody can be along for the full journey and Arsenal’s progress means players like Smith Rowe and Nketiah may be phased out.
Nketiah started just 10 Premier League games last season and scored just five league goals, three of which came in one game against relegated Sheffield United.
Still only 25, Nketiah needs to move on and play regular first-team football to get back on track and further his development.
Leaving Arsenal won’t be easy but Nketiah simply cannot afford another season of being a bit-part player at the Emirates Stadium.
Moving on is best for Nketiah’s career and Marseille may well be the right destination for him this summer.
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