Eddie Nketiah’s potential transfer to Nottingham Forest has taken another step forwards, with the player reportedly agreeing on personal terms.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah #14 of Arsenal FC reacts against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal FC reacts against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is increasingly close to signing for Nottingham Forest, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the player has now accepted a contract offer from the Premier League side.

Romano adds that though Forest had also shown an interest in Santiago Gimenez and seen one bid turned down, Nketiah is their favourite option right now.

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

John Percy reported for The Telegraph on Wednesday that Forest were close to a £30m deal after a breakthrough in talks, with Edu and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis holding extensive negotiations over 48 hours.

Alex Crook reported for talkSPORT that whilst it’s not done yet, there’s optimism on both sides that Nketiah will join Forest for a fee of around £30m.

Those reports followed one from David Ornstein earlier in the day that the two clubs were close to a deal.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal FC moves the ball against AFC Bournemouth during the first half during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal FC moves the ball against AFC Bournemouth during the first half during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Forest initially bid £25m for Nketiah, including add-ons, but Arsenal were looking for a figure in the region of £30-35m. It looks like the clubs are closing in on a compromise now.

As mentioned, one alternative signing for Forest was Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord, but Ornstein reported that their approaches fell short of the Dutch club’s valuation and the striker wasn’t pushing to make it happen.

Nketiah made 37 appearances for Arsenal last season, and was a regular throughout pre-season, but it seems he’s now close to an exit.