Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah is now the subject of transfer interest from Crystal Palace, but this is not the first time they have been interested...
Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah is now the subject of transfer interest from Crystal Palace, but this is not the first time they have been interested in the striker.
It has now emerged that Crystal Palace had actually agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Nketiah within the last two years, but personal terms could not be agreed, and the move collapsed.
In the 2021-22 season, Nketiah was initially behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order upfront, before overtaking both strikers by the end of the campaign and signing a contract extension after being on the verge of an exit.
Crystal Palace are now interested in a January deal for Nketiah, but have had an initial enquiry for their previous target turned down, as the player is still deemed important to Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Crystal Palace previously agreed deal for Eddie Nketiah
Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts revealed that Palace were extraordinarily close to signing Nketiah some time ago.
“Palace’s interest in Nketiah is longstanding,” Watts stated.
“A couple of years ago, he was very, very close to moving. Arsenal had agreed a deal, as far as I was aware and was told, with Palace for Nketiah.
“That broke down over personal terms as Palace negotiated with Nketiah and his people over that move.
“It didn’t happen, he stayed at Arsenal, went on to sign his new contract of course. But Palace are still interested in him.”
Should Arsenal sell Eddie Nketiah in January?
Nketiah is Arsenal’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League, with five strikes in this campaign so far.
Arsenal’s forwards have struggled for form in recent weeks, with Thursday’s loss at West Ham particularly disappointing given how many shots the home side had.
If Nketiah does leave, Arsenal would need to replace him, and they have been linked with Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke, amongst others.
However, both strikers would come with huge price tags, and Arsenal may not be able to afford them unless an extraordinary offer comes in for Nketiah.
With Palace unlikely to pay a fee big enough to convince Arsenal to change their stance over Nketiah, it seems that he will stay at the Emirates, and given that Arteta considers him an important part of the squad, a mid-season sale does not appear to be the best course of action as the Gunners aim to compete for the Premier League title.