Nottingham Forest is strongly interested in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, as coach Nuno Espirito Santo looks to add firepower to his squad before the transfer window slams shut.
The former England Under-21 international had agreed personal terms with Marseille earlier this summer but the two clubs failed to agree on a transfer fee. As a result, a move to Marseille broke down. This has given Nottingham Forest a chance to intensify their efforts to sign the Gunners striker.
The Tricky Trees have reportedly seen an opening bid worth £25million including add-ons rejected for Eddie Nketiah, who is the third-choice striker after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal want a price in the region of £30-35m for the 25-year-old centre-forward. They are right to demand in that ballpark as he is contracted at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027.
Negotiations with the Gunners are continuing, though, Forest remain in contact with Nketiah’s entourage over a possible move to City Ground.
Eddie Nketiah expected to leave Arsenal this summer
Nketiah has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal since the big-money arrival of Kai Havertz from Chelsea last summer. He is now the third-choice striker under Arteta, whose side pushed Manchester City to the wire for the Premier League title last season.
After talking with Marseille have collapsed, Nketiah is available for transfer regardless of whether Arteta signs a new striker or not. The 25-year-old wants to play regular football which is not expected to happen at Arsenal. The Englishman, who was an unused substitute in the north London side’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, has scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for his boyhood club.
At 25, Nketiah wants to move away from a peripheral role and enjoy more first-team action elsewhere. A move to Forest should appeal to the striker as he will get opportunities to showcase his talent. It remains to be seen whether the Midlands club return with an improved offer for the English striker.
If Nuno and Co. are to stay far away from the relegation zone, they must push for Nketiah’s signature.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
