Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on the likely future of Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah was recently the...
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on the likely future of Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah was recently the subject of an approach from Crystal Palace. However, the Gunners rebuffed that initial advance.
That is not to say that Mikel Arteta couldn’t be tempted to part with the Hale End academy graduate. After all, initial approaches and offers are usually rejected, as it is all part of the negotiation process. Crystal Palace may well not have given up on bringing the 24-year-old to Selhurst Park in the upcoming January transfer window.
Certainly, a move to the south London outfit may well appeal to Nketiah. The striker grew up in south London himself, and he would stand a great chance of being a regular starter for the Eagles. As things stand, he is very much a back up to Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are also thought to be on the hunt for a new striker. If the Gunners do sign a new goalscorer, then Nketiah would likely be pushed down the pecking order even further.
Despite this, Nketiah does not seem to have any immediate plans to move on from the club. According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking to Caught Offside, “I’m also aware there’s been speculation again about Eddie Nketiah being a target for Crystal Palace. My understanding is that Palace have liked Nketiah for a long time, but at the moment the situation is still quiet on club side as Arsenal are counting on him.”
“I think Palace could be a great solution for him to play more and to show what he can do in the Premier League, but also – he wants to succeed at Arsenal.”
Arsenal still need Eddie Nketiah
Whilst he isn’t a nailed-on starter, Nketiah does still have an important role to play at Arsenal. Given Jesus has a patchy fitness record, and has struggled in front of goal recently, Nketiah is likely to get plenty of game time.
Having netted his first ever Premier League hat-trick earlier this season and earned his maiden England cap, he will feel that he has what it takes to make the grade at Arsenal.
Equally, the Gunners may not currently be in a position to replace Nketiah this winter. Whilst they are thought to be in the market for a new striker, they only have a limited transfer budget available to them at this time. It is likely won’t be feasible for the club to bring in the top class goalscorer they need until the summer, meaning Nketiah’s services will certainly be required until the end of the current campaign at least.
Nketiah will be looking at the second half of this season as a great chance for him to prove that he belongs at this level. Arsenal look set to be involved in a tight race for the Premier League title. Nketiah will be desperate to show that can fire the Gunners to glory.