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Arsenal & West Ham transfer talks for 26yo continue

Arsenal are in ongoing talks with West Ham United over a possible transfer for Reiss Nelson, according to a report.

Reiss Nelson and Riccardo Calafiori during Arsenal pre-season (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Arsenal and Championship club West Ham United are in talks over a possible deal for Reiss Nelson, with conversations ongoing over the structure of such a move.

McNicholas does suggest that Nelson is yet to give his full approval to the transfer, however, writing that the winger must decide if he’s willing to drop down to the English second tier.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Reiss Nelson of Brentford is challenged by Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Brentford and Sunderland at Gtech Community Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Dharmesh Sheth reported for Sky Sports News in recent days that West Ham are interested in Nelson, though Sheth suggested the Hammers were hoping for a loan deal.

Given Nelson has entered the final year of his contract at Arsenal, a loan move wouldn’t exactly be ideal for the Gunners.

Yet it also wouldn’t be the first time Arsenal have loaned a player in the final year of his contract, as they did the same with Oleksandr Zinchenko last season.

That move to Nottingham Forest ended up working out, as Zinchenko was recalled and sold to Ajax for a fee in the January transfer window.

UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Nottingham Forest applauds the fans after the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Utrecht and Nottingham Forest FC at Stadion Galgenwaard on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Nelson spent last season on loan with Brentford, and they had an option to buy in his contract, but they opted not to take it up.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles reflected: “Whilst I’m sure [Nelson] would’ve preferred more Premier League minutes with us during the loan, he has nevertheless made a good contribution with his positivity, attitude and experience around training and matchdays, and leaves us in a better place physically then when he joined.”

Nelson has since joined up with Arsenal for pre-season, playing half an hour against Girona and 45 minutes against Real Betis, but having an unused substitute role against Borussia Dortmund.

GRIMSBY, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Brentford (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Grimsby Town and Brentford at Blundell Park on October 28, 2025. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
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