Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah looks increasingly likely to leave the club, according to the Athletic.
On the way out?
Mikel Arteta has gone on record to suggest that he would like to Arsenal youngster to pen a new contract to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
However, as time ticks by, the latest update claims that is becoming more and more unlikely.
Nketiah’s current deal at Arsenal expires in the summer, meaning he will be able to leave on a free transfer.
Arsenal will still be owed compensation if he moves to an English club as Nketiah is only 22, but they are only likely to receive a fraction of his actual value if he departs in that manner.
Nketiah can hardly be blamed for thinking about leaving the Gunners, though.
The forward, who was once labelled ‘brilliant’ by Sky pundit Alan Smith, has not featured at all this season, and has only been on the substitutes’ bench once.
His development cannot have been aided by his lack of game time.
A needed move
There are doubts over the future of Alexandre Lacazette, but even if he leaves Nketiah still seems behind plenty of Arteta’s other options.
The likes of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and even Folarin Balogun appear to be ahead of Nketiah in the pecking order currently, and Arsenal may even try and sign another striker in the summer.
If Nketiah does leave on a free he is likely to attract plenty of suitors.
He is England’s under-21 top scorers and has already proven he can score at Premier League level in previous years.
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