Unlike much of the rest of the squad, Eddie Nketiah is one of few players who may well be up for sale in the January transfer window, according to a report.
Arsenal have quite a few players out of contract at the end of the season, including Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, Mohamed Elneny, Calum Chambers, and Eddie Nketiah.
For the majority of them, despite their deals coming so close to their expiry dates, it seems Arsenal plan to keep them around for cover. But Nketiah might be the exception.
The Athletic report that it’s likely Nketiah will leave Arsenal, and the club may use the January window to try and get a fee for him.
If they don’t, they’ll be relying on a tribunal to determine the transfer fee they get for him in the summer.
Even though he’ll be out of contract, Arsenal should still be entitled to a fee given Nketiah was brought through the club’s academy.
Nketiah made the squad to face Watford ahead of the international break, but that was his only appearance in a Premier League squad all season, and he hasn’t played a league minute. Arsenal clearly aren’t particularly relying on his availability.
The Daily Mail recently reported that Eddie Nketiah has told Arsenal he wants to leave the club.
Mikel Arteta had made one last attempt to convince him to stay, but the young striker believes he’s ready for a new challenge and regular football.
The Mail add that Borussia Monchengladbach and Crystal Palace are among Nketiah’s admirers.
Sky Sports report something similar, claiming Nketiah wants to leave after failing to agree a deal with Arsenal.
Sky add that there are no issues between Nketiah and Arteta, the player simply wants to play more.
Over the summer, The Athletic reported that Arsenal had made Nketiah an offer to extend his contract.
The club were reportedly looking to protect their investment and give them some flexibility. But it didn’t lead anywhere.
The Daily Mail’s story suggests Arsenal haven’t made Nketiah a new offer since then.
A couple of English outlets recently published stories suggesting Gladbach were set to make a move for Nketiah in January.
Foreign clubs like Gladbach can start to talk to him in January, which is less than seven weeks away now, and English clubs will be free to pick him up just a few more months after that.