Borussia Monchengladbach are hoping to sign Eddie Nketiah on a pre-contract agreement in January, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The print edition of The Sunday Mirror (via HITC) report that Borussia Monchengladbach want to offer Eddie Nketiah a pre-contract agreement in January.

The S*n reported something slightly different recently, claiming Gladbach are interested but that they’re considering a January bid. With Nketiah’s contract running down, Arsenal would obviously be in a weaker negotiating position.

Nketiah has a deal until 2022, so he’ll be a free agent by the summer. Foreign clubs can start to talk to him in January, which is less than eight weeks away now, and English clubs will be free to pick him up just a few more months after that.

If Arsenal are hoping to convince the striker to stay, they’re not doing a particularly good job. Nketiah has only featured in one Premier League squad this season, and he’s only made two appearances in all competitions, both in the League Cup.

The 22-year-old scored in both games, but that hasn’t led to further opportunities in the league. You’d imagine it’ll be hard to convince him to sign an extension in those circumstances.

So unless things change in the next month or two, Arsenal may want to consider a sale in January. Otherwise it’ll be another few months of Nketiah sitting on the sidelines or at home on matchdays, before leaving for free.

From a squad depth point of view, Mikel Arteta shouldn’t be hugely worried. He has Gabriel Martinelli, who is the player keeping Nketiah out of the squad at the moment. He also has Folarin Balogun impressing in the u23s.

Whilst neither of them can match Nketiah’s senior goal tally for Arsenal, they’re not too far behind and should be able to cover in the second half of the season if he leaves.

Crystal Palace are also reportedly interested in Nketiah, if he’s available.