Forgotten Arsenal man FINALLY nears exit as Nottingham Forest bid $39 million

Author Photo
Getty Images

Arsenal may finally be about to secure the sale of a first-team squad player in a deal that could bolster their chances of making further signings before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners have been relatively quiet in the market, with Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna their only major piece of business along with the permanent acquisition of last season's loan goalkeeper David Raya.

Mikel Arteta is said to want to bring in Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino before the Premier League's deadline at the end of the month, while other reinforcements are not out of the question.

The Arsenal boss has been given a boost in his pursuit of new signings with the news that a lucrative sale could be in the offing.

MORE: All the latest EPL club news | Team-by-team Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings

Striker Eddie Nketiah has long been linked with a move away from the club where he progressed through the youth academy, and the 25-year-old now looks to be close to securing a transfer that will boost his hopes of regular first-team football.

According to the BBC, Nottingham Forest are attempting to broker a £30 million ($39 million) deal for the 25-year-old, with an agreement "getting closer".

Nketiah scored five goals in 27 appearances for Arsenal last season, but his role was largely that of back-up. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are ahead of him in the pecking order at centre-forward, while Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have also been used in a central role.

As a former academy player, Nketiah's sale would represent 'pure profit' for Arsenal and reflect positively on the club's balance sheets when it comes to toeing the line of the league's profit and sustainability rules. The deal could pave the way for the arrival of Merino, who will likely cost a similar fee.

Author(s)
Author Photo
Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News.
LATEST VIDEOS