Arsenal are still hoping to keep Eddie Nketiah at the club beyond this summer, despite his contract running down with plenty of outside interest.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The Daily Mail report that Arsenal haven’t given up hope of persuading Eddie Nketiah to sign a new contract to stay with the club.

Crystal Palace and Borussia Monchengladbach are among the teams hoping to sign Nketiah if he leaves North London.

He’s eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement today if he wants to – since he’s in the final six months of his contract. If he doesn’t sign a new one, he can leave on a free transfer.

Arsenal are reportedly unsure whether they’ll be able to meet Nketiah’s demands to play more regularly. That will depend on what happens in the summer market, after all.

But the Gunners don’t believe the striker has made a final decision to leave just yet, so there’s still a chance of an extension.

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)

A week ago, many Arsenal fans would probably have been largely unmoved by speculation around Nketiah’s future. The 22-year-old’s brace away to Chelsea has changed that, with the young striker suddenly proving more popular.

We still have a few weeks of the season to go, and Nketiah is likely to get further chances now.

If he continues to perform, the interest from Arsenal and elsewhere should only increase. If his form drops off, the opposite will be true.