Arsenal are ready to hand Eddie Nketiah a significant pay rise to ward off serious interest from eight clubs set to try and sign him.

The Mirror report that six Premier League clubs and two major European clubs are keen to sign Eddie Nketiah this summer, but Arsenal remain hopeful of striking a deal to extend his contract instead.

Arsenal are willing to dramatically increase Nketiah’s salary to get him to stay, taking him from one of the lowest paid in the first team to a big earner.

The list of Premier League clubs interested includes West Ham United, Brighton, and Newcastle United, according to the Mirror.

Crystal Palace are also presumably one of the six, after Charles Watts recently confirmed they maintain a strong interest.

The Daily Mail reported this week that West Ham are in pole position to pounce if he doesn’t extend with Arsenal.

Nketiah’s deal is set to run out next month, though the Mail add that another meeting is planned between his representatives and the Gunners to see if they can find a resolution.

Football.London wrote this week that Arsenal remain optimistic that Nketiah will sign a new deal to stay at the Emirates Stadium, despite rejecting offers to extend earlier this season.

The topic of Nketiah’s contract has become more of a talking point in recent weeks, with the 22-year-old scoring four goals in five consecutive starts – the most Premier League starts in a row he’s ever made.

Watts wrote for Goal that Nketiah has resisted a number of attempts to extend his contract, and further talks are expected in the coming weeks before he decides whether to stay or go.

If Nketiah did move to a Premier League club, Arsenal would be owed a compensation fee determined by a tribunal – as a young former academy player – despite his contract running out.